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 Rabbinic Search Updates 

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two weeks ago, we announced that our Rabbi Search Committee had completed its work, sharing that our top candidate had withdrawn.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.

Arnold Bedak, President, Board of Trustees 
Howard Paley, Chair, Rabbi Search Committee
 
 
Questions and Answers
Rabbi Search 2025
5.12.25
 
We’ve heard your thoughtful questions, and we want to ensure you have the clearest information possible. Below is a response to the questions we’ve received:
 
Q: Will Rabbi Jonathan be able to stay in 2025-2026?
A: Rabbi Jonathan is our interim Rabbi through June 30, 2025. His role is specifically designed to be temporary, and as of now, his service to Temple Emanuel is set to conclude at that time.

It’s important to recognize that Rabbi Jonathan has fully committed himself to our congregation during this interim period, offering his wisdom, compassion, and leadership. We are deeply grateful for his dedication, and we remain focused on supporting him in his sacred work with us through the end of June 2025.
 
Q: Could we get another interim Rabbi?
A: This is a possibility. We are in weekly communication with Rabbi Alan Berlin Director of Search Services at the CCAR and we have already shared our interest in this as a possibility. We will continue to meet and keep the congregation updated.
 
Q: What are our next steps in the Rabbi search?
A: We are actively exploring several options to ensure continued Rabbinic leadership for our community:
  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.

May 5, 2025

,Dear Temple Emanuel Family

After many months of thoughtful and dedicated work, the Rabbi Search Committee has concluded its process. It is with heavy hearts that we share that we did not ultimately identify a candidate to recommend as our next settled Rabbi. While this outcome is not what we had hoped for, the journey was filled with meaningful engagement, strengthened connections, and deep reflection on what our community values most in rabbinic leadership.

After launching the search in September 2024, the committee met with six accomplished rabbis and welcomed three for in-person visits. Across more than 20 meetings and 200 hours of discernment, we evaluated each candidate through the lens of the priorities and aspirations you helped us define. We’re deeply grateful for the trust and support you’ve shown throughout this process.

The committee did reach full consensus on one of the visiting rabbis, someone we believed had the potential to lead our congregation with warmth, integrity, and vision. Unfortunately, after learning of our intent to recommend them, the candidate withdrew from consideration due to family-related concerns about relocating to Phoenix due to our weather/climate.

Despite further deliberation, the committee was unable to reach consensus on either of the remaining candidates. While each brought meaningful strengths, neither aligned closely enough with the qualities and priorities our community expressed. The committee held fast to a consensus-based approach, not just a majority vote, as we believe the selection of our next rabbi must be grounded in shared confidence and clarity. While we know this outcome may feel disappointing, we remain steadfast in our commitment to finding a rabbi who can guide and inspire us into our next chapter.

In the meantime, we are grateful to continue working with Rabbi Jonathan during this transitional year. His presence and leadership have meant so much to our community. We are actively planning next steps. The committee has already re-engaged with the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), and we will continue to work closely with them to determine the best path forward.

We promise to keep you informed through weekly updates and invite your questions to help guide what we share. Please email any questions you have to president@emanueloftempe.org, and we’ll address as many as we can in our upcoming communications.

We deeply appreciate the commitment of the Rabbi Search Committee and the ongoing strength and unity of our congregation as we continue this sacred journey together.

From strength to strength,

Arnold Bedak, President, Board of Trustees

Howard Paley, Chair, Rabbi Search Committee

April 25, 2025

The Rabbi Search Committee has finished the last of our onsite visits and is looking forward to making a recommendation soon. Per our bylaws, the Search Committee’s recommendation will be presented to the Board of Trustees and then brought to the congregation for a community vote during a special session. We will share the meeting date and additional details in early May, allowing our community to review and vote on the recommendation.

Rabbi Jonathan Biatch has been a wonderful leader this year, and we hope you have had an opportunity to engage with him. We are deeply grateful to Rabbi Jonathan for his guidance and care during this interim year. His presence has made a lasting impact, and we look forward to honoring his contributions with upcoming opportunities to come together as a community and wish him well in his next chapter.

 

April 8, 2025

The Rabbinic Search Committee continues to move forward with care and diligence. At this stage, no recommendations have yet been made to the Board of Trustees, and no offers have been extended. The committee remains actively engaged in the process, and we look forward to welcoming additional candidates for in-person visits in the coming weeks. Given the timing of Passover and candidates’ schedules, some of these visits may take place outside of a traditional Shabbat weekend.

We are deeply grateful for your continued engagement, thoughtful feedback, and warm hospitality. It has made a meaningful impression on every candidate we’ve met so far. I am incredibly proud of the way our congregation continues to show up with kindness, curiosity, and a deep sense of community, not just during this search, but every day.

We also want to extend our sincere thanks to the members of the Search Committee for their commitment, time, and thoughtful leadership throughout this process. Their dedication to finding the right rabbinic partner for our community is deeply appreciated. I also want to thank our dedicated staff and Rabbi Jonathan for their steady leadership and unwavering support throughout this journey.

 

September 27, 2024:

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce that Howard Paley has accepted the role of Chairperson for the Settled Rabbi Search Committee. Howard is a long-time TEOT member, Past President, and has previous rabbinic search committee experience. His leadership style will bring high energy and collaboration.

Howard will be leading the committee members through the process and toward the successful hiring of our next Rabbi.

The core of the committee is made up of the Interim Search committee that successfully brought Rabbi Jonathan to us. The committee represents a diverse cross-section of our community.

 

   Share your voice: Shma Emanuel-Listening Sessions 

 Sign Ups now Available 

These Shma ("listening" in Hebrew) listening sessions are meant to amplify and learn more about your responses to clearly capture your input in the rabbinical search process and fine-tune the Search Committee's lens as we interview candidates. Your voice matters as part of this process and we value your input greatly.

To that purpose, you are invited to join us at small group get-togethers to share your voice. These listening sessions will occur in December at Temple Emanuel and at congregants’ homes. We will gather your input about worship services, education, holiday programming, and pastoral care.

Click this Sign-Up Genius to select the date that best fits your need. Please note that additional sessions will be added as needed, and this link refreshed accordingly.

Help us select the best Rabbi for our congregation by making your voice heard. Your feedback will share the future of our community. 

Thank you in advance for your participation and support! 

 Committee Members 

Howard Paley
Search Committee Chair

Arnold Bedak

Seth Tongay

Karen Kahn

Kerri Robbins

Aaron Baumann    

Frieda Pollack

Natalie Gruber

Jen LeGrand

Sue Dermer

Isabella Small

 Rabbinic Search Checklist 

On this website we will continually update our congregation about our search for an interim rabbi followed by our search for a settled rabbi. The checklist below keeps track of our major goals throughout the process. Read all of our communications regarding the transition below.

  •      Appoint interim rabbi search committee
  •      Conduct Sh'ma Emanuel listening sessions 
  •    Apply for interim rabbi search process
  •       Apply for settled rabbi search process
  •      Interview interim rabbi candidates
  •       Receive and review rabbi applications
  •      Hire interim rabbi for one year
  •       Conduct interviews
  •        Hold good-bye events for Rabbi Olshein
  •       Top candidate site visits
  •        Hold welcome events for interim rabbi
  •       Recommend final candidate to Board of Trustees
  •       Appoint settled rabbi search committee   
  •       Congregational vote on final candidate

 Welcome Rabbi Jonathan A. Biatch 

 July 1, 2024 

Dear Members,

We are thrilled to introduce you to our new interim rabbi, Jonathan Biatch (pronounced BYtch). Rabbi Biatch comes to us from Madison, Wisconsin where he has served as the senior rabbi of Temple Beth El for the last 19 years. As he transitions to rabbi emeritus at Temple Beth El, he is excited to share his wealth of rabbinic experience, wisdom and knowledge as our interim rabbi. It is a wonderful gift for Temple Emanuel to have someone of his caliber to guide us for the next year.

You can learn more about Rabbi Baitch below, including special messages from him and more about his background and experience.

Rabbi Biatch looks forward to supporting Temple Emanuel just like a permanent rabbi, performing lifecycle events, leading us in prayer, providing pastoral support and much more. He will work closely with our bar and bat mitzvah families to continue their learning and prepare for their simchas. He will also serve as an advisor to the Board of Trustees and the staff.

As a reminder, the Temple Board of Trustees made the decision to employ an interim rabbi for one year to help us best prepare for our next settled rabbi. Interim rabbis are trained for this role, understand the process of hiring a permanent Rabbi and provide valued advice to their congregations. They don’t participate in the hiring process and are not eligible to become our senior Rabbi. This allows them to maintain an objective role as our spiritual leader.

Our search for a permanent, settled Rabbi will begin in the Fall after High Holidays. Prior that time, we will hold Sh’ma Emanuel listening sessions to hear directly from you. We want to know what is important in our next settled Rabbi and what you see for the future of Temple Emanuel. We hope you will join us to share your thoughts.

We extend a warm welcome to Rabbi Biatch and his family and look forward to giving you the chance to meet him. There will be opportunities to assist in planning welcome events this summer and we let you know how you can be involved.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Interim Rabbi Search Committee, the Board and staff, and all those who participated in the interview process. Your hard work has paid off and we can’t wait for Rabbi Biatch to join us.

B’shalom,

Karen Kahn, President

Vivian Gealer, Interim Rabbi Search Committee Chair

 

Sun, June 15 2025 19 Sivan 5785