Poale Zedeck, Shaare Torah formalize unification talks
Email sent to congregation members ahead of Pesach
Unification, it appears, is contagious.
Nearly 16 months after Reform congregations Rodef Shalom Congregation and Temple Sinai publicized that they had begun talks that might lead to a merger, two more congregations have revealed similar intentions.
In an April 4 email to their members, Orthodox congregations Poale Zedeck and Shaare Torah announced they have formalized conversations meant to evaluate opportunities for collaboration, up to and including “full unification.”
A steering committee, comprised of six volunteers from the congregations’ executive boards, has been formed. David Weinberg, a unification expert, is assisting the congregations on a pro bono basis.
Both congregations’ board of directors have reviewed the evaluation plan.
While informal conversations have occurred over the decades, the email said, specific goals have been established, including: Developing a vision statement reflecting the congregations’ core values, with guidance from Poale Zedeck Rabbi Daniel Yolkut and Shaare Torah Rabbi Yitzi Genack; and, “identifying categories for consideration in a potential unification,” including finance, buildings, operations, legal, ritual and synagogue life. Similar to the process taking place with Rodef Shalom and Temple Sinai, committees will be formed engaging community volunteers to consider the categories and share insights with the congregations at each stage of their evaluation.
The steering committee will be responsible for ensuring the evaluation process is being followed and communicating the process with the community. It cannot authorize a merger; any unification will need to be approved by the membership of both congregations.
Unification, the email said, may not make sense, so other areas of collaboration will be included in the evaluation.
Opportunities for congregational input and involvement will be announced following Passover. PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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