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Rabbi Candidate Weekend with Rabbi Amy Hertz

The Rabbi Search Committee is pleased to present Rabbi Amy Hertz, the second of three finalists for the permanent Rabbi position at CBE. Scroll down or click here for Rabbi Amy's bio.



Our Schedule 

Friday, January 27

7:30 – 8:45 PM — Shabbat evening service led by candidate and Cantor Sarra, including sermon. Oneg to follow.

Saturday, January 28

9:30  – 10:45 AM — Shabbat morning service led by the candidate, including D’var Torah
11:00 AM. – 12:00 PM — Torah Study led by the candidate followed by a Kiddush lunch
4:30 – 6:00 PM — Teen program led by the candidate and facilitated by Programming VP Leslie Knight

Sunday, January 29

9:30 – 10:00 AM — Z’man Kehillah with the candidate, Beth Goldstein and the religious school (all are welcome to attend)
10:30 AM–12:00 PM — Community Forum Q&A with the candidate (a selection of questions/topics submitted in advance)

 

Friday Shabbat Evening Service led by Candidate & Cantor Sarra

Join us for prayers and songs to welcome Shabbat!  This service will be planned by the Candidate and Cantor Sarra, and will include elements where we can see the Candidate on their own as well elements where we can see the Candidate and Cantor Sarra collaborate together. The Candidate will also deliver a sermon during the service.

Saturday Shabbat Morning Service led by Candidate

Join us for a Shabbat morning of prayers, songs, and study led by the Candidate.  This service is an opportunity for our community to see how the Candidate would lead a service solo, chant Torah, engage us with the prayers and their meaning, and bring their personal style to this traditional-leaning service.  The Candidate will give a short D'var Torah as part of the service.

Saturday Morning Torah Study led by Candidate

Join our Candidate as they lead a study session inspired by the week's Torah portion.  This program is an opportunity to experience the Candidate's teaching and discussion style, and see how they can help us find ways to engage with Jewish texts.  Kiddush lunch to follow.

Community Forum Q&A

At the Community Forum, each candidate will provide a brief summary of their path to the rabbinate and answer questions on a variety of subjects collected ahead of time from the CBE community. We will not be taking live questions from the audience to
ensure that each of our candidates has a chance to answer the same questions. However, there may be a few questions asked that are specific to the candidate.  We appreciate your understanding and will do our best to include questions on many topics that are important to members of our community. You may submit questions through January 14 at this link
 


 

How to join us: In person/Zoom/recordings

The services, Torah study, and community forum will all be held in person and on Zoom (please login using the credentials for CBE services). They will also be recorded and made available on our website.
 



Opportunities for feedback

Following each weekend, you will receive a brief survey to complete about the candidate. After the third weekend, you will also receive a brief final survey asking you to compare the candidates. The search committee is depending on your feedback to help ensure your voices are heard in the selection of our next Rabbi.
 


 

Questions

Feel free to reach out to us at rabbisearch@bethelohim.org with any questions or comments.
 



Thank you for your participation in this important initiative for our community.

Rabbi Search Committee
Danya Bloomstone (Co-chair)        
Michelle Siegert  (Co-chair)        
Aurora Carruthers-Grey (Sept.-Dec.)    
Rick Green
Arye Hess                
Barry Nyer                
Evan Shechter
Jess Rosenblatt
Judy Kramer
Robin Newman
Cantor Sarra Spierer


Rabbi Amy Hertz

Rabbi Amy Hertz is very excited to be a candidate for CBE’s next Rabbi.  Originally from Houston, TX, Rabbi Amy graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in Mathematics and Economics and then earned Rabbinic Ordination and a Master’s Degree and from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Cincinnati, OH. 
As a rabbinical student, Rabbi Amy served student congregations throughout Indiana – in Terre Haute, Columbus and Greencastle where she led services and worked with families on significant life cycle events such as B’nai Mitzvah, baby namings, and funerals.  She was also selected as a rabbinic intern in the Department of Youth Programs at HUC-JIR, welcoming high school and college students to campus for pre-rabbinic learning programs, and served as a representative of the college on the national level. Rabbi Amy served as a chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she also completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Following rabbinic school, Rabbi Amy served as the Associate Rabbi of Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA, for five years.  In this role, Rabbi Amy participated fully in all aspects of congregational life, as well as in the larger Pittsburgh Jewish community. She truly enjoyed working with students, both children and adults, on their B’nai Mitzvah, leading services weekly, celebrating with families during times of joy and helping guide congregants through deaths and other hard times.  She served as the President of the Greater Pittsburgh Rabbinic Association and as a board member of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Pittsburgh.

Following her time in Pittsburgh, Rabbi Amy moved to the greater Boston area and began her tenure at Temple Isaiah of Lexington. As the Director of Congregational Learning, she is part of the fabric of Jewish life in the community with full responsibility for all learning. Under Rabbi Amy’s leadership, there has been renewed focus on personal and relevant Jewish learning in the youth community, as well as deep partnership in adult learning with Hebrew College and the development of a strong Mussar program, a Jewish spiritual practice that gives concrete instructions on how to live a meaningful and ethical life. One of the highlights of Rabbi Amy’s year is leading the Women’s Weekend Away with the Temple Isaiah Sisterhood where members of the group gather for a spirited weekend of praying, learning and community.  She also has found great meaning in working with families on baby namings, weddings, and funerals.  Outside of Temple Isaiah, she is involved in the greater Lexington community as a member of the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association and as an executive board member of the Cary Memorial Library.

Rabbi Amy is passionate about exploring Jewish journeys with people of all ages and stages of life.  She is a relational and warm spiritual leader who believes in the power of joyful Judaism to guide us in creating deep and meaningful lives.  Rabbi Amy is also a skilled educator with a Master’s Degree in Religious Education who enjoys teaching and guiding students of all ages.  

Outside of her congregational life, Rabbi Amy enjoys creating art, seeing musicals, and spending time with Mason the dog.  She currently lives in Waltham, MA, with her wife Beth Goldstein, Director of Education and Community Engagement at Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton, MA.. (back to top of page)

 

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784