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[through the ages/YOUNG ADULT]
Looking forward
Beth Israel hires passionate assistant rabbi to keep congregation moving
toward bright future
Rabbi Rachel Joseph with her husband, Gabe, and their year-old
son, Max Abram.
by Vanessa Van Petten
Newly ordained Rabbi Rachel Joseph aims to
“connect young Jews to something greater” when
she assumes the position of assistant rabbi at
Congregation Beth Israel on July 1.
CBI leaders had identified the need for an assistant rabbi
when the congregation exceeded 825 families. Senior Rabbi
Michael Cahana explains, “We wanted every family to have
access to clergy and as we grew, we knew we needed more help.”
Fortunately, as the board identified the need, Betty Rosenfeld
and her family stepped forward to make a significant contribution
with maximum impact. “Betty Rosenfeld’s extremely generous
gift is supporting a major portion of the cost of the new
assistant rabbi for the next several years,” he said.
CBI leaders began a vigorous search process beginning with
in-person interviews at Hebrew Union College. Three hopefuls
were flown to Portland to meet with congregants, teach classes,
give sermons and participate in meetings. “It was a tough
decision, but we thought Rachel Joseph would make a perfect
addition to our community,” said Rabbi Cahana.
Rabbi Joseph has a long history of rabbinical inspiration.
She grew up in Ohio watching her father, Rabbi Sam Joseph,
lead congregations both nationally and internationally. At Ohio
University, Athens, she majored in interpersonal communications
with minors in political studies and women’s studies.
After graduation, she went to Washington, DC, to “pursue
social justice in the halls of Congress.” She began as a legislative
assistant at the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism
and then worked for Americans United for Separation of
Church and State for seven years.
However, she found her time in the nation’s capital unfulfilling
both spiritually and professionally. “As an uninspired,
overworked and underpaid 20-something, I didn’t have time or
interest in organized Judaism, but that changed when I met an
amazing young rabbi who mentored me,” she said.
After almost a decade in Washington, she found her true
calling. “The more time I spent at synagogue the more I was
fulfilled personally, spiritually and intellectually in a way that
my day job could not support. I realized I wanted to serve the
Jewish people as a teacher, preacher and mentor. I was ready to
help others discover their path to each other and to God,” she
recalled.
She is thrilled to be coming to Portland. “Congregation Beth
Israel is the center of Reform Judaism in the Pacific Northwest
and I want to be a part of it,” she said, adding she is drawn to
the congregation’s roots in history and strong outlook toward
the future.
Rabbi Cahana hopes that Rabbi Joseph will help create connections
within the congregation as well as reach out to young
adults. Among many other projects, she will spearhead CBI’s
young adult group, Jews Next Dor.
“Jews Next Dor is a vibrant and active group, but we haven’t
had the capacity to devote as much clergy attention to them
as we would like. Creating connections to young adults in the
Jewish community is essential,” said Rabbi Cahana.
Rabbi Joseph strongly encourages the power of young
people. “Portland is an exciting community and a place where
people come to find meaning. I want to be a part of that process
and help connect young Jews to something greater,” said Rabbi
Joseph. She will also work with young families in the community,
as she is moving with her husband, Gabe, and their
year-old son, Max Abram.
CBI’s cantor Ida Rae Cahana is ecstatic about Rabbi Joseph’s
entry into the community. “Rabbi Rachel has the unique
capacity to be fully present and really listen to whomever she is
engaged with. We are lucky to have her,” said Cantor Cahana.
Rabbi Joseph’s formal installation will take place during
services Oct. 5.
64 JULY 2012 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE