Asked to identify the chief characteristics of his time at the helm of Rinat, Rabbi Adler shared the following six guiding principles:

1) Maintaining a dignified and meaningful tefillah

Rabbi Adler took this imperative very seriously and would not delegate it to ushers. He said, “I am the police chief” and would stand amidst the congregation during Chazarat HaShatz. On rare occasions, he’d send a personal letter to a shul member who disturbed the decorum.

2) Maintaining a high level of learning, with all audiences

He takes great pride in the sophisticated level of Talmud Torah at Rinat. And this starts in the early years. He looks back fondly on the Mishna shiur he conducted for children for many years.

3) Establishing a strong bond with Medinat Yisrael

Rabbi Adler noted that 85 alumni of Rinat have served in the Tzahal (Israeli armed forces), and he sends them a monthly message.

4) Responding to people’s individual needs, especially during troubling times

He worked hard to “be present” for hospital visits, funerals and to support people facing financial struggles.

5) Placing Rinat in the forefront of communal activity

Rabbi Adler pointed out that Rinat has taken the lead for 30 years in organizing communal events such as Yom HaShoah and Yom Ha’atzmaut events. Rinat also spearheaded the creation of the communal eruv, in 1982, shortly before Rosh Hashanah.

6) Playing an active role in the RCBC

Prompted to consider the “high point” of his rabbinic career at Rinat, Rabbi Adler pointed to “creating and maintaining the respectful quality of our shul’s tefillah,” and added, “when people from other shuls visit, they see this clearly.”

Prompted to consider the “low point” or a lingering regret in his work, Rabbi Adler shared that he has tried to always “broaden the participation in Torah learning,” yet “still, there are quite a few we have not reached. That’s been a real disappointment.”