Meet Temple Sinai’s new leaders

 

Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser and Cantor Wendy J. Siegel are joining Temple Sinai’s community this summer. The two have quite a bit in common. Both newcomers followed their calling only after spending some time in the secular world. The rabbi was a professional in the environmental movement, and the cantor worked as a legal secretary. However, their simultaneous start at Sinai and a career change are not the only parallels. In fact, their origins reveal that their love of community motivated both to choose their current professions.

Siegel tremendously enjoyed being part of a choir, participating in Purim-spiels and singing for family services on Yom Kippur. Her love of music, Judaism and people allowed for a natural transition to becoming a cantor – a profession which would integrate all of her passions. Siegel says, “I love to help people and enjoy them whether in good times or in trying times.” Prior to joining Temple Sinai, she did just that while working as After School Program Administrator at MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham, Mass. After receiving Cantorial Ordination in June 2013 and a Master of Jewish Education in June 2011 from the Cantor-Educator Program of Hebrew College, the cantor began building a relationship between MWJDS and the religious school of Temple Beth Am.

Goldwasser’s move toward becoming ordained also felt organic. An activist attempting to effect social change, Goldwasser had an epiphany that fixing the world was so important to him because he believed that it is supposed to make sense. He decided to work on returning the world to its original meaning through Judaism. Interested in being a Jewish community organizer, he then realized that he wanted to be a rabbi. On “Reb Jeff” – his blog, whose theme is “living a joyful Jewish life and bringing joy to synagogues and the Jewish community,” – Goldwasser shares, “It was among the happiest discoveries of my life and it is still unfolding in unanswered questions.”

Asking questions is important to Goldwasser, who plans to do just that during his first couple of months at Temple Sinai. Rather than dictate an agenda to his congregation, he prefers to learn what the desires and needs of the community are. By listening to the members, engaging in conversations and working together, Goldwasser envisions fulfilling his role of a facilitator and a guide.

At Congregation Beth Israel in North Adams, Mass., where he’d served as rabbi since becoming ordained in 2000 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (the seminary of Judaism’s Reform Movement), Rabbi Goldwasser created innovative family education programs, developed new prayer books and formed partnerships, among other accomplishments. His experience at Beth Israel and at Temple Beit HaYam in Stuart, Fla., where he’s served as rabbi since 2011, showed him he had chosen the right field. Beit HaYam’s website lists his many social action initiatives and reveals that the rabbi’s “adult education offerings, especially Saturday morning Torah study and adult B’nei Mitzvah class, have made the congregation a true community of learners.” My Jewish Learning’s recognition of Goldwasser as one of 20 “America’s Real Top Rabbis 2012” cemented his status. 

Similarly, Siegel foresees getting to know the congregants as her first task at the synagogue. She plans to find out their likes and dislikes to better serve them. Siegel’s other priority is working as a team with the rabbi and learning together the Temple Sinai’s minhag ha makom (customs). Referring to the partnership, Siegel says, “I feel strongly that this will enable us to encourage new programs and projects, as well as new subjects to study, while maintaining the high standards of Temple Sinai.”

The two will combine their prowess with words and music to move the congregation. Siegel believes that music has the power to bring people together to create community, spirituality and self-awareness. Goldwasser considers that deep conversations lead to finding purpose and fulfillment. In fact, he started his blog to build a stronger relationship with the Temple Beit HaYam congregation, whose members appreciated being able to connect with him online. Golwasser says, “The blog gives me a broader voice to talk about Judaism and how people can find meaning and joy in their lives through Torah.”

The rabbi and the cantor are excited to begin their new posts. Goldwasser is thrilled to be in Rhode Island, after some years in Florida. He says, “I love New England’s seasons, its scenery and its people. I love the ocean. I am a recklessly passionate Red Sox fan. We couldn’t be happier to be in a place where we feel that we belong.” Like the rabbi, whose wife grew up in the suburbs of Boston, Siegel has ties to the area (she grew up in Burlington, Mass.), loves the Red Sox and feels a strong connection to the place. She says that she has found her spiritual home at Temple Sinai. “There is a warmth and caring that is palpable and I have had the privilege to embrace it and be embraced by it. Temple Sinai is a community of diverse interests and ages, but there is commonality in a true love of Judaism and a deep sense of community. I am thrilled to be part of the Temple Sinai ‘family.’