Rabbi Reimer installed at Temple Sinai

By JOSH AXELROD, Special to the CCJN

Founded in 1870 as Louisiana’s first Reform synagogue, Temple Sinai has only had only nine senior rabbis throughout its historic existence. So the inauguration of a new rabbi is always cause for celebration. With an homage to its past and a vision to its future, the congregation witnessed the installation of Rabbi Matthew A. Reimer last Friday, November 18, in the synagogue’s main sanctuary. It was an event he described as “both humbling and daunting.”

Rabbi Matthew Reimer during his installation at Temple Sinai on Friday, Nov. 18 with Rabbi Emeritus Ed Paul Cohn, center, and Cantor Joel Colman, left. (Photo by Josh Axerod)

Joined on the bimah with Emeritus Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn and Cantor Joel Colman, Reimer was ebullient. “I hope tonight’s festivities can be viewed not as any kind of personal achievement but as a communal celebration for a congregation which is in the midst of its own transition.” Reimer said.

Along with his wife Leah and four daughters, Reimer moved from his most recent position with The Shul of New York. Reimer was ordained in 2007 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and studied music at Vassar College prior to his ordination.

His former colleague, Adam Feder, The Shul Band leader and development director  from The Shul of New York also joined in the festivities.  Reimer led a lively Kabbalat Shabbat service, before the installation honors began. Together with an ensemble of piano, bass, violin, clarinet and guitar, Reimer and Feder demonstrated their impressive musical chops, harmonizing and bouncing across the bimah.

Rabbi Jonathan A. Stein, who served as Reimer’s mentor when they first met in 2001, was called upon to reflect on the night.  Stein congratulated the rabbinic search committee on a job well done and offered suggestions to Reimer on how he might serve as both an effective and an influential rabbi.

Feder spoke next, detailing the ten things he’ll miss most about Reimer. The list included seeing Phish concerts, dreaming up plans, making music on Shabbat and his wonderful family.

Temple Sinai Emeritus Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn, left, passes the sefer Torah scroll to Senior Rabbi Matthew Reimer as Cantor Joel Coman chants. (Photo by Josh Axelrod)

“Rabbi Matthew Reimer is a soulful man,” Feder said. “You have, in this new rabbi, a totally competent and creative person, a natural leader. He is confident, thoughtful, caring and hardworking.”

Cohn ushered up Mark Heller and Julian B. Feibelman Jr. to symbolically pass the sefer Torah scroll to him. The two temple members are the respective descendants of Rabbi Max Heller and Rabbi Julian B. Feibelman, two of the past Temple Sinai rabbis and instrumental figures in the New Orleans Jewish community.

Cohn congratulated Reimer on the significant milestone and wished him luck. “It happens once in a generation,” Cohn said. “We are honored to witness Temple Sinai’s ninth senior rabbi…a new link is added to our congregation’s proud and faithful 146-year chain of tradition.”

Reimer finished the evening with a humble speech about why he decided to become a rabbi and how he hopes to positively affect his new community. The New Jersey-born rabbi recounted a story about a conversation he had with his father about the importance of doing something good instead of doing something big.

“I am honored and exhilarated for a central role in this process of giving and receiving, of building and being built, and of partnering with each of you, helping all of us to live up to our fullest potentials and hopefully to do something good,” Reimer concluded.

Following the installation, an Oneg Shabbat was held in the social hall.