Temple Beth-El honors Rabbi Gutterman

On May 29, Temple Beth-El will kick-off a celebratory weekend, honoring Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman’s 45 years of service at Temple Beth-El and his transition to Senior Rabbi Emeritus status in July.

The inaugural event will be a 7 p.m. Shabbat service led by Gutterman’s Temple Beth-El clergy colleagues, Rabbi Sarah Mack and Cantor Judy Seplowin, who will be joined on the bimah by his daughters, Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman, currently rabbi at Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Walnut Creek, California, and Elizabeth Gutterman of Boston. The service will be followed by a festive Oneg Shabbat. Both the service and the Oneg are open to the community.

On May 30, Temple Beth-El will be the site for a Temple members-only concert by six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald.

Gutterman came to Temple Beth-El in 1970 as assistant rabbi, serving under then Senior Rabbi William G. Braude. When Braude retired in 1974, Gutterman was selected to replace him. He is the longest serving rabbi in Rhode Island and has been the recipient of a Doctor of Divinity degree from Hebrew Union College and holds honorary degrees from the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, Johnson & Wales University, Providence College, Rhode Island College and Bryant University and has been honored by many of R.I.’s social service organizations. He was recently named one of the 33 most inspiring rabbis in North America by the Jewish Daily Forward.

In July, Gutterman will be succeeded as senior rabbi by Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman, currently serving at Temple B’Nai Tikvah in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

For further information, contact Judy Moseley, executive director, Temple Beth-El, 401-331-6070.