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Rabbi to return to Texas
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer
Published on Saturday, May 23, 2009
Rabbi David Lipper came to Akron in 2001 to lead the congregation at Temple Israel.
On Thursday, he will stand before that congregation for the last time as its rabbi.
''While the Jewish journey is not complete in Akron, my years here have been filled with opportunities to participate in the journey and to foster growth,'' Lipper said. ''It's not easy to leave because we have developed relationships here. But we have to.''
Lipper and his wife, Dora, will move their family back to Texas after
his contract with the Reform congregation expires on June 30. Temple Israel's board voted last May not to renew his contract.
The congregation will honor the Lippers at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the synagogue at 133 Merriman Road. A short program will be held in the sanctuary, with a reception afterward in the social hall.
''We've made tremendous strides under his leadership. He has raised the level of education for the kids and adults,'' said Michael Goldenberg, a congregant of about 10 years. ''His sermons always have a very spiritual tone and he works to make sure we better understand our traditions. Beyond the congregation, I am proud to say he has worked in community.''
Lipper is past president of the Akron Area Interfaith Council and a member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee. He has also served on the boards of the Jewish Community Board of Akron, Jewish Family Services, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Interfaith Hospitality Network, a shelter program for families in crisis.
He is active with the Central Conference of American Rabbis, where he is on the board as chairman of the Great Lakes Region and as national chairman of CARENET, a support network for rabbis in congregational life.
Lipper said he was told his contract was not renewed because ''financial pressures on the congregation'' would not allow it to keep someone of his caliber in the rabbinate.
The president of the congregation, Arthur Krakauer, did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Seeking doctorate
Since coming to Temple Israel, Lipper has continued his work on a doctorate degree from Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago. He received a graduate degree in Hebrew letters at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, where he was ordained. He received his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Texas.
During his last year at Hebrew Union College, he was an intern rabbi at Temple Israel in Dayton.
After his ordination, he served six years as rabbi of Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun in Milwaukee, where he increased the presence of the Jewish community among the black community through the Gingerbread House youth and family shelter; brought young families to the synagogue through activities and educational events; led two missions to Israel; and created a format for interfaith wedding blessings that became a model for rabbis in the area.
In 1994, he became rabbi at Temple Emanuel in McAllen, Texas, where he sutured a rift between Hispanic and Anglo members of the congregation and between the more traditional and classical Reform members.
While in Akron, he has worked to build understanding between people of different racial, religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Upholding a vision
''I came to Akron with the hope of continuing the vision of Temple Israel's previous rabbis and their engagement in the general community, as well as pursuing the vision of learning and Jewish continuity that I hoped to bring to Temple Israel,'' Lipper said. ''For the past eight years, I have upheld that vision and feel that I met that goal.''
Lipper said he and his family will return to Houston to be near family members as he searches for his next appointment.
Rabbi Lipper ''has worked very hard to reinvigorate our aging congregation, which is dwindling in number. He has been involved in almost every facet of congregational life,'' said Bob Godshall, who converted to Judaism under Lipper's leadership. ''He has enhanced our religious school and adult education programs, increased lay involvement and used liturgical innovations to help us grow spiritually. We're losing an amazing rabbi.''
Lipper will be replaced by Rabbi Robert Feinberg, who has served at Congregation B'nai Torah in Highland Park, Ill., since 2004. His duties there include providing pastoral care to members in hospitals and rehabilitation centers and teaching a Saturday Torah study group and adult education classes on Israel and Zionism.
The retired U.S. Navy chaplain also provides support to the congregation's Take Action Committee and Men's Club.
He is the founding rabbi of Congregation Hineini in Moscow, the first liberal synagogue in the former Soviet Union.
He is an active member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and a graduate of Yale University, Temple University and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Feinberg's official starting date is July 1.
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.
Rabbi David Lipper came to Akron in 2001 to lead the congregation at Temple Israel.
Get the full article here.
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