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Reform Synagogue Creates Rabbinic Leadership Endowment in his Honor
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J., May 17, 2018 – Rabbi Daniel Cohen has the unusual distinction of serving only one synagogue throughout his entire career, from rabbinic internship through this year, which marks the 25th anniversary of his rabbinic ordination and his 26th year at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI). The community celebration will begin with a gala on May 31st at Maplewood Country Club.
Cohen noted two unexpected career shifts that led him to TSTI in 1993.
“I had originally planned on becoming an archaeologist by pursuing a doctorate in Jewish studies and teaching, but something compelled me to apply to the seminary instead,” said Cohen. “Then, in my fifth year of rabbinic study, I intended on writing my rabbinic thesis and working at an organization rather than in a congregation. However, the placement director signed me up for an internship interview at TSTI. I was offered both positions but I accepted the rabbinic internship … and here we are, 25 years later.”
Early into his internship, Cohen realized how much he wanted to stay at TSTI. “I really liked that this community was willing to see how tradition can guide us in our decisions about who we want to be in the world, and its commitment to meeting people where they are on their Jewish journey. It really stood out as the kind of Jewish community I would want to be a part of and serve.”
A new position of assistant rabbi was created and offered to Cohen. Three years later he became the associate rabbi before becoming TSTI’s senior rabbi in 1999.
In his honor, the congregation has started the TSTI Rabbinic Leadership Endowment. The fund will position TSTI to continue its tradition of leadership excellence and to be a home for the Reform movement’s most talented clergy.
Reflecting over 25 years
Cohen has guided TSTI through many changes to help fulfill its vision of being as inclusive as possible—physically, spiritually and philosophically. The three-building, multi-level property was renovated to become as accessible as possible, and the congregation has tackled and worked through societal issues together.
“Inclusion is not lip service here,” he noted. “We have members that come from all walks of Jewish life and are fully part of the congregation. Our diverse community includes interfaith families, same-sex couples, Jews of color and Jews by choice. We insist on showing each other respect and welcoming all.”
It was also important to Cohen to find ways to help members participate more in synagogue life. Under his leadership, the community changed the Friday evening schedule to provide communal worship opportunities for families with young children or those who prefer an earlier service time.
“People are dealing with more than ever before, so we altered our service schedule to fit into our members’ lives rather than the other way around,” he explained. TSTI now offers Friday evening services at 6:00 or 7:30 p.m. on alternating weeks so that more people can attend at times that work better for them. There is also regular musical accompaniment for those for whom music is a central part of worship.
“One size doesn’t fit all and, from a worship perspective, we pride ourselves on being eclectic while maintaining a sense of communal solidarity.”
He points with pride at the connections that the young people have and retain at TSTI. “Our kids know that we really love them and we want them here. They cherish their TSTI connection because we cherish them.”
Those connections run deep and long. Cohen is officiating at weddings now for children he met when they were in the preschool, and bar and bat mitzvah students who he worked with in the 1990s have young children in preschool and religious school there today.
“It is an incredible honor to watch a young person grow here, and then usher them into their next stage of life. Given how mobile our society is today, the intergenerational continuity at TSTI is truly remarkable. I am especially struck by how many three-generation families are part of temple and how many of our former TSTI students are now taking their place in various leadership roles.”
Much of the credit, Cohen said, goes to the entire team at TSTI. “A rabbi cannot build and maintain a congregation without a strong team effort among clergy, senior and professional staff, and volunteer leadership. I work with an amazing group of people here and every day, I am reminded of how fortunate I am.”
Balancing the past and the future
Of changes he’s observed within the congregation, Cohen points to the constant influx of new perspectives and energy from new members or those who are becoming more involved. However, he said, “It’s important to honor the synagogue’s history and the people who built the congregation, while making room to honor the new members who are bringing their vision to our continued growth. Change must be made sensitively.”
Under Cohen’s guidance, TSTI has become more integrated into the fabric of the wider community in many ways. It is part of the three-synagogue refugee resettlement effort in South Orange, and Cohen has also used his pulpit and rabbinate as a platform for speaking out about social injustices in the area and beyond.
Two-and-a-half years ago, he married Raina Goldberg and the couple moved to South Orange. “We are now literally part of, and both love living in, the community I serve,” Cohen said.
His 25-year milestone has him thinking about the length of time he has served TSTI, and has made him realize how much of an honor it has been for him. It also makes him deeply appreciate his career in the rabbinate that he came upon somewhat serendipitously.
“I want to keep doing what we’re doing, to be a congregation that understands changing currents, that values being inclusive and values diversity, that doesn’t shy away from harder conversations,” said Cohen. “Just because you have different perspectives doesn’t mean you can’t worship, learn and sing together, and that’s something we live every day here.”
Of his upcoming congregational celebration, he said, “I feel like I’m just getting started; I’m more enthusiastic and more grateful for what I’m doing than ever.”
PHOTO CAPTION:
Rabbi Daniel Cohen of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange.
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI), located at 432 Scotland Road in South Orange, is a vibrant, inclusive Reform congregation that welcomes Jews by birth or by choice, interfaith, traditional and non-traditional families, and children of all abilities. It offers lifelong learning and creative, enriching programs for all members, from preschoolers and teens to older adults. Its full complement of religious services, early childhood and religious school education, cultural programs and activities foster connection, engagement and community outreach. TSTI’s members live in Maplewood, South Orange, West Orange, Short Hills, Millburn, Livingston and surrounding areas. For more information, please visit www.tsti.org.
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432 Scotland Road, South Orange, NJ 07079
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