New Rabbi arrives at Beth Emeth
By Andrew Coen
July was not a typical month for members of the Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth in Hewlett. They were left without a rabbi following the departure of Jason Klein in late June, and conducted services themselves for the past four weeks.
But they found a new spiritual leader when Rabbi Elliot Skiddell agreed to accept the position at Beth Emeth beginning on Aug. 1, when he arrived in the Five Towns after spending 14 years in Israel.
Skiddell replaces Klein, who had decided to leave the Hewlett temple earlier this year. Beth Emeth officials said Klein announced his intentions of leaving the synagogue a few months ago but fulfilled his contract through the end of June.
Klein exits Beth Emeth after serving four years as rabbi of the Reconstructionist temple. He received national attention for being an openly gay rabbi who was one of the few to conduct marriage services for same-sex couples. Klein could not be reached for comment and his plans for the future were not known, according to Beth Emeth Co-president Judy Schneider.
Rabbi Skiddell, a 1980 graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, arrives in Hewlett following 14 years in Israel, where he worked for the Galilee Education Foundation. Also while in Israel, between 1999 and 2005, Skiddell served as regional director for the Jewish Agency for Israel covering the areas of Tzefat, Hatzos at Rosh Pina. He previously served as congregational rabbi for Ramat Shalom Synagogue in Plantation, Fla. for 10 years.
Schneider said she is very excited to bring Rabbi Skiddell to Beth Emeth, adding to the momentum the synagogue has picked up by recently refurbishing its facility on Franklin Avenue. "The rabbi’s arrival adds to the air of excitement we already have," said Schneider. "He’s the most experienced rabbi we’ve ever been fortunate to have."
Skiddell has been recognized by Jewish leaders, including being awarded a Doctor of Divinity by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2005 and receiving honors as the outstanding employee of the Jewish Agency for Israel in 2004. He has served as president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation and the North Broward Board of Rabbis.
His publication experiences include co-editing the Mordechai M. Kaplan Centennial Resource Booklet and numerous articles related to Reconstructionist themes. Rabbi Skiddell has a wife, Julie, who’s an artist and teacher, daughters who are 22 and 19 years old and a 13-year-old son.
Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth is a member congregation of the National Jewish Reconstruction Federation. The congregation, at 36 Franklin Ave., Hewlett, believes in a reinterpretation of the past in a contemporary form while valuing the treasury of wisdom embedded in Jewish civilization. The congregation is fully egalitarian and inclusive, temple officials said. Its Hebrew school is open Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and provides a unique and inspiring Jewish learning experience for children, officials said.
New prospective members and parents interested in Hebrew school enrollment will have an opportunity to meet Rabbi Skiddell at Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth on Sunday, Aug. 13, between 10 a.m. and Noon.
For further information, call (516) 374-9220.
Comments about this story? [email protected]
www.zwire.com