(Courtesy of Federation of Greater MetroWest) A group of 20 rabbis gathered on Zoom on October 28 to launch the new Greater MetroWest Rabbis Roundtable, a series of events for synagogue rabbis to study, network and create bonds with one another. The first event featured noted scholar Dr. Erica Brown, director of the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership at The George Washington University and a resident scholar at Congregation Etz Chaim in Livingston. The Steering Committee of the roundtable, chaired by Rabbi Laurence Groffman of Temple Sholom of Cedar Grove, is responsible for planning the events.
According to Rabbi Groffman, “The first Rabbis Roundtable gathering exemplified its purpose—to bring together the rabbis of Greater MetroWest, in all our diversity. Dr. Brown taught Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist and Reform rabbis, and we all had an opportunity to learn from and with each other. It was a wonderful example of how we can unite over our shared love of, and commitment to, Torah.”
Federation CEO Dov Ben-Shimon commented on the “sacred” nature of this interdenominational dialogue and the example it sets for mutual understanding and collaboration in the broader Jewish community.
Greater MetroWest includes Essex, Morris, Union and parts of Somerset County and includes 95 rabbis from 80 synagogues. Greater MetroWest Rabbis Roundtable Steering Committee members include: Rabbi Joel N. Abraham, Temple Sholom, Scotch Plains; Rabbi Menashe East, Mt. Freedom Jewish Center, Randolph; Rabbi Laurence Groffman, Temple Sholom of West Essex, Cedar Grove (Chair); Rabbi Ari Isenberg, Congregation B’nai Israel, Millburn; Rabbi Paul Kerbel, Temple Beth El-Mekor Chayim, Cranford; Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff, Congregation Etz Chaim, Livingston; Rabbi Rachel Marder, Congregation Beth El, South Orange; Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Short Hills; Rabbi Adrienne Rubin, Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield; Rabbi Michael Satz, Temple B’nai Or, Morristown; Rabbi Mendy Solomon, Chabad of Short Hills/Livingston; Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, Bnai Keshet, Montclair.
