R.I.’s Board of Rabbis: Coming together ‘to act for the greater good’

The Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island recently issued a statement of support of the Black Lives Matter movement. In June, the group “strongly condemned” the anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic vandalism at a cemetery at Providence College.

In fact, whenever there is an issue of interfaith or Jewish importance, the rabbis are likely to take a public stance.  

But, do you really know what this group does?

The Board of Rabbis exists for mutual support, according to two of its leaders, Rabbi Sarah Mack, of Temple Beth-El in Providence, immediate past president of the board, and the current president, Rabbi Barry Dolinger, of Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence.

“We are a group of colleagues that gather in fellowship. We choose to be a pluralistic group, and we don’t seek to represent any one group any more than any other,” Mack said.

Dolinger said, “Some people look at us as the self-appointed authority of religion. But we aren’t a monolithic group in terms of views on anything. We come together to act for the greater good.”

“We mainly study,” Dolinger continued. “It’s a beautiful thing to learn with other rabbis. We have an incredible group of rabbis in Rhode Island.”

And the members weigh in on community issues and are actively involved with interfaith work. “We represent Jewish voices to the other faith communities,” said Rabbi Mack.

She is currently in a group of clergy advising Gov. Gina Raimondo on reopening Rhode Island during the coronavirus pandemic.

 The Board of Rabbis’ statements on public events are often issued in partnership with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

The board, which is open to all ordained rabbis in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, recently announced leadership changes. In addition to Rabbi Dolinger as president, the current leadership includes Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, of Temple Sinai in Cranston, vice president; and Rabbi Rachel Zerin, of Temple Emanu-El in Providence, secretary. Zerin replaces Rabbi Andrew Klein, of Temple Habonim in Barrington, who retired in June.

FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.