Dear Temple Emanu-El Community,
I am thrilled to announce that Rabbi-Cantor Cheri Weiss has been selected to be Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, pending an approval vote of members of the congregation as required by Temple Emanu-El’s bylaws.
The selection of Rabbi-Cantor Weiss follows a search process during which the Rabbinic Search Committee reviewed 20 applications, conducted interviews with 11 applicants, hosted in-person visits from 2 finalists, engaged in hundreds of hours of meetings, analysis, and discussion on behalf of the congregation, and ultimately recommended Rabbi-Cantor Weiss to the Board of Trustees.
Rabbi-Cantor Weiss, who is ordained as both a cantor and a rabbi, is the best fit for the position based on evidence of and potential for being a community builder, having a growth mindset, and being an inspirational learner and teacher, qualities the congregation identified as most important in our new rabbi. We have identified Rabbi-Cantor Weiss as the right leader at the right time for Temple Emanu-El.
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Search Committee’s recommendation and worked together with Rabbi-Cantor Weiss to develop an Agreement for Rabbinic Services. The Board approved the terms unanimously on Tuesday evening. In accordance with the bylaws of Temple Emanu-El, the final step for the rabbi’s selection is approval by a two-thirds vote of a fifty percent quorum of the congregation membership.
Early next week, Temple Emanu-El members will receive notice of a special congregation meeting in the mail (via USPS). As soon as the meeting notice is mailed, we will initiate electronic voting through
ElectionBuddy. This well-established platform ensures that voting is private, secure, auditable, and verifiable. Eligible voters will receive an email with instructions for casting their vote. To request a paper ballot or ask any questions about this step of the process, contact the Temple office at 808-595-7521 or
admin@shaloha.com.
The special congregational meeting to tally the final vote and announce rabbi’s selection will be held via Zoom on Sunday, May 15, at 3:30pm.
With great excitement, anticipation, and continuing gratitude for our community’s participation in this important process and investment in Temple Emanu-El’s future,
Josh Levinson
President, Temple Emanu-El
Chair, Rabbinic Search Committee
