Rabbinic Transition

 May 19, 2025

Dear Temple Emanuel Family,

We are excited to share that the Board of Trustees has recommended Rabbi Steve Folberg as our next settled rabbi for Temple Emanuel. (His bio can be found at the end of this letter.)

Just two weeks ago, we announced that our Rabbi Search Committee had completed its work, sharing that our top candidate had withdrawn. But life has a way of bringing unexpected opportunities. Last week, Rabbi Folberg reached out, expressing his renewed and heartfelt desire to become part of our Temple Emanuel community. After thoughtful consideration and meaningful discussions, he and his wife have decided they want to make Arizona their home.

The Search Committee reconvened to carefully evaluate Rabbi Folberg’s renewed interest. After thorough discussion, the committee reaffirmed their belief that Rabbi Folberg is the right spiritual leader for our congregation. This recommendation was then presented to the Board of Trustees, who, after deliberation, voted to recommend him to the congregation. With references now complete, we are entering the final stage of the process, which is contract negotiations. We will move forward thoughtfully in sacred partnership with Rabbi Folberg to complete this final phase.

On May 29, at our Annual Meeting, you will have the opportunity to vote on Rabbi Steve Folberg’s recommendation as our next settled rabbi. During this meeting, you will hear from both the Rabbi Search Committee and the Board of Trustees about why we believe Rabbi Folberg is an exceptional fit for Temple Emanuel. We will share insights into his background, values, and leadership style, and explain why your fellow congregants strongly support this recommendation.

The criteria for selecting our next settled rabbi were thoughtfully developed through a comprehensive process, including input from last year’s Interim Rabbi Search Committee, the Sh’ma Emanuel listening sessions, and the Rabbi Search Committee. Our core criteria included:

Community Building: Fostering a strong, inclusive, and supportive community. Strong Interpersonal Skills: Connecting authentically with individuals and families of all ages. Leadership: Providing vision, guidance, and a steady presence in times of both joy and challenge. Spiritual Guidance: Inspiring and enriching our spiritual lives through meaningful worship and teaching. Engagement with Our Children: Creating lasting connections with our youngest members and fostering a love of Jewish learning and values. 

Throughout the process, Rabbi Folberg consistently demonstrated these qualities. With over 30 years of experience leading Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Texas, and most recently as interim rabbi at Falmouth Jewish Congregation in Massachusetts, his leadership, wisdom, and compassion have made a profound impact on the communities he served.

We understand that a rabbi’s success is not solely based on individual strengths. It is a partnership between the rabbi and the congregation, and a relationship built on mutual trust, shared purpose, and a commitment to work together. Rabbi Folberg will thrive with the support of our Board’s leadership, our members' engagement, and our collective belief in a vibrant, spiritually enriching community.

Your feedback has been invaluable throughout this process. We were moved by the strong connections Rabbi Folberg made with our Board, staff, and congregants during his interviews. Here are just a few of the comments we received:

“I immediately connected with him.”“I see his passion for teaching.”“He feels right.”“He was personable and honest.”“I felt a very positive, down-to-earth connection with Rabbi Folberg.” 

One moment that stood out was Rabbi Folberg’s final question before leaving our visit:

“Where would you hope the congregation will be at the end of my first contract?”

This thoughtful question reflected his desire to understand our hopes, invest in our future, and lead with purpose.

We deeply appreciate the dedication of the Rabbi Search Committee and the unwavering strength and unity of our congregation throughout this sacred journey. Your engagement and support have been invaluable.

We look forward to sharing more about Rabbi Folberg at our Annual Meeting on May 29. This will be a meaningful opportunity to learn more, hear from those involved, and participate in this important decision.

Together, we move from strength to strength.

With gratitude and optimism,

Arnold Bedak, President, Board of Trustees

Howard Paley, Chair, Rabbi Search Committee

Rabbi Steven Folberg (he/him)

Rabbi Steve Folberg is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Maxima Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

Rabbi Folberg received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion In New York City in 1985. He has served on the national Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis as a member at large and has also chaired the CCAR Resolutions Committee. In April 2010, Rabbi Folberg was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of the 25th anniversary of his ordination. Rabbi Folberg co-authored Bright Lights in Dark Times, a Jewish history textbook for middle school and high school students.

Upon ordination, Rabbi Folberg served Temple Beth-El in Great Neck, New York as its Assistant and Associate Rabbi for six years until 1991. In 1991, he assumed the position of senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Texas, Austin’s oldest and largest synagogue. He served CBI for 33 years. In June 2024, he was awarded the title of Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Folberg currently serves as the Interim Rabbi at Falmouth Jewish Congregation in Falmouth, Massachusetts

Rabbi Folberg is an alumnus of Rabbinic Cohort 5 of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. He is fascinated by the work being done on the intersection of Judaism and mindfulness practice, including meditation and yoga. He loves teaching students of all ages. Rabbi Folberg is married to Saundra Goldman, a writer, writing teacher and art historian. They adore their daughter, Shira, who was born in 2001.

In his spare time, Rabbi Folberg enjoys walking his three dogs, playing guitar, listening to music (predominantly Steely Dan), tinkering with various electronic gadgets and exploring for the next adventure.

May 12, 2025

Dear Temple Emanuel Community,

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed, we’re providing another update on our Rabbi search. We deeply appreciate the thoughtful questions you’ve shared. This update addresses the questions we've received from the congregation, helping ensure clarity and transparency throughout this process. Please continue sending your questions to president@emanueloftempe.org .

Looking ahead, our next scheduled update will be shared next week. Thank you for your continued unity and support as we navigate this sacred journey together, moving from strength to strength.

1. Begin a New Interim Search: If needed, we will initiate a new search for an Interim Rabbi as soon as possible, allowing us to carefully consider qualified candidates.
2. Mosaic of Rabbinic Support: We may consider a model that includes a core Rabbi working part-time, supported by a team of clergy and professionals. This approach would maintain our high standards, particularly for B'Nei Mitzvah families, ensuring strong leadership and continuity.
3. Available Candidates: We are also exploring candidates who may become available through our ongoing discussions with the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) and the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism).
4. Re-engaging with a Prior Candidate: Finally, we may consider re-engaging with a candidate we previously interviewed if that becomes a viable option.

As we continue this process, our priority remains to ensure strong, consistent leadership for our community. We will keep you informed every step of the way.