Nothing stays the same.

Sometimes things change suddenly and unexpectedly. Other times we know well in advance that change is on the way. Temple Beth Ami is very good at recognizing change in advance, planning for it, and managing that change through a period of transition. We have been able to thrive through numerous transitions in the leadership of our congregation over the years. Even so, each new transition brings its own set of challenges and opportunities.

As Janice Rosenblatt retires from her position as Executive Director, I can’t help but think about some of the transitions she has helped guide us through. She is the longest-serving current member of our Senior Staff, and has helped us during the search process for every one of the Senior Staff currently with us. She has worked with 15 different congregational presidents, helping each one with the issues that arose. She has worked on the front lines when necessary, both as the face of the congregation, and behind the scenes, helping to make sure that everyone else has whatever they need in order to succeed. In short, she has always done whatever was necessary to make sure that we not only kept the lights on and the doors open, but that we would continue to prosper and thrive. We are so grateful that Janice has been our Executive Director.

Our new Executive Director, Debbie Ezrin, comes to us with some of the same characteristics that Janice had when she started. Like Janice, Debbie is already a long-time member of our congregation, and has been in a leadership role within the congregation. She already knows our congregational culture, knows many of the congregants, and knows about many of the challenges she will be facing. We are excited to welcome Debbie as our new Executive Director, but we need to remember that there will be a period of transition. We all need to help Debbie be successful by welcoming her to her new role but also by giving her some time to evaluate and settle into this new position.

I have no doubt that as we go through this transition, we will become stronger and an even more extraordinary congregation.