The departure of Rav Uri and the future of Beth Israel
The announcement of Rabbi Uri Topolosky’s resignation as spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel sent shock waves across his own congregation that have reverberated into the whole Jewish community of Greater New Orleans. “Rav Uri,” as many have called him, is unlike any other rabbi who has manned the helm of the Beth Israel pulpit.
He has proven to be able to move with alacrity and inpunity throughout all the major religious branches represented in New Orleans, befriending liberal-minded Reform rabbis, while at the same time making inroads within the more observant Orthodox community and the local Chabad Lubavitch organization.
In the nearly six years since he has been installed, the rabbi has become the public face of Beth Israel. On numerous occasions he has spoken on behalf of his beleaguered synagogue – once the largest Orthodox congregation in the South – which had been devastated by the floodwaters that followed the collapse of the levees in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Through his dynamic and charismatic leadership, a new Beth Israel sanctuary was erected along the heavily Jewish West Esplanade corridor adjacent to Gates of Prayer.
He has taken on the challenging role of community representative, recently taking his voice to the Hurricane Sandy victims in New Jersey and in New York to soothe their suffering and to Israeli victims of violence from constant rocket attacks in the south of Israel before and during Operation Pillar of Defense. He protested against Iran’s pronounced hatred of Jews and policies against Israel and was arrested at the Isaiah wall across from the United Nations in 2007 along with dozens of other rabbis like his mentor Rabbi Avi Weiss (The charges were dropped.). How many times did he call out the name of missing in action Israeli soldiers – particularly that of Gilad Shalit – at weekly worship services until the imprisoned IDF soldier was finally restored to his family? Topolosky met with Shalit’s family in Israel prior to his release and successfully campaigned for him to be made an honorary citizen of New Orleans through a City Council resolution. His was a lone voice in the wilderness calling out to stand in solidarity with the captured soldier when many thought Shalit was probably never going to make it out alive. His resolve to speak out on issues of critical importance to the community, to comment on the right moral path and to stand in support for his Jewish brothers and sisters is without peer.
On the personal front and along with his psychologist wife Dahlia, Topolosky has served as a model parent. Both Topoloskys have also added two new female numbers to the ranks of the local population in addition to the two older sons they brought down from New York.
While maintaining the Modern Orthodox identity of his shul, the rabbi established more inclusive worship services for women at Beth Israel in which they were permitted to carry the Torah during worship services for the first time. He has taught several courses on a wide variety of topics throughout his time in New Orleans and is one of the favorite teachers on the staff of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School faculty. He also made time to study regularly with Gates of Prayer Reform Rabbi Robert Loewy, a colleague whom he considers a dear friend. The partnership they created for joint programming has been a model for inclusivity. Recent discussions on “Kosher Jesus,” “Kosher Gay” and “Kosher Sex” created flash points of interest in both the Reform and Orthodox communities.
Despite differences in his religious philosophy, Topolosky has also been a notable presence on the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association and one of its most likeable figures. Oftentimes he has had to stand his ground, particularly when he was unapologetic in discussions related to Israel and the question of a Palestinian state. Yet, the members have remain respectful colleagues of one another. It is doubtful that many other Orthodox leaders would handle such delicate matters as tactfully and diplomaticly as Rav Uri or imbue in other clergy such respect. But that is and has been his character.
Topolosky has been a gentle soul, a merry minstrel strumming his guitar at various events to sing of his love for his religion and to communicate it to the young and the elderly through song. It is a precious gift he possesses and one whose plaintive voice will be missed in our fold.
As to the future of Beth Israel, there is little doubt that they are on firm foundation with an executive board and membership dedicated to making sure they continue for generations to come as a haven for Modern Orthodoxy. But, surely the loss of their beloved rabbi will come at a cost. Will the numbers of new young professionals and longtime members of the community who have flocked to the synagogue – regardless of faith background – to participate in his Shlomo Carlbach-styled services begin to diminish? Perhaps. Will his departure signal a slowing of new members there? Speculative. Will the legacy of Rabbi Uri Topolosky be one spoken in years to come as pivotal? Definitely.
In their heart of hearts, the Beth Israel congregation knew his visitation would not last forever. Eventually, as all dynamic rabbis of his caliber have done, he would hear a calling from another community in need of his charismatic leadership.
In his future endeavors outside of our community, we know he will succeed and we wish him and his family well. He is a rising star whose luminosity could not be contained in our corner of the Jewish universe forever. His appointment here has been a blessing for all of New Orleans and we will miss his joyous smile, powerful words and gentle deeds.
