CLOSE-UP

Irwin Groner is capping a distinguished career
with a new position leading the Conservative
movement's Rabbinical Assembly.

ALAN HITSKY

Associate Editor

hen Irwin Groner stood before 650
Conservative rabbis two weeks agr
in New York's Catskill Mountains,
he saw the need to invigorate a
movement that is constantly mak-
ing apologies.
Listing the middle branch of Judaism's
achievements, Rabbi Groner told his
fellow rabbis in the 1,300-strong Rab-
binical Assembly, "We possess the center
ground. Let us be resolute enough and
wise enough to claim it and build upon
it."
It is a tall order for a movement that is
often defined by what it is not — not
Reform and not Orthodox. But Rabbi
Groner sees his role as president of the
Rabbinical Assembly for the next two
years as a cheerleader and builder. He
will take some sparks and try to fan the
flames.
"Conservative Judaism stands today on
the threshold of new beginnings," he told
the rabbis. "Sparks of spiritual renewal
are seen in many different settings. We
can gather these sparks and enkindle the
spirit of our people. We can capture the
imagination of the American Jewish
community. We can respond to the hun-
ger and thirst for faith and meaning that
is evident everywhere."
How does the rabbi of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield inflame the
spirit of 1.5 million Conservative Jews
during a two-year term of office?

W

"If possible, it would be nice to have
eight days in a week," he joked before his
May 16 installation at the Concord Hotel.
He lists the movement's achievements,
including many that have been instituted
at Shaarey Zedek: involvement of con-
gregants throughout the community, es-
tablishment of strong educational institu-
tions, Camp Ramah and United Syn-
agogue Youth, and the hundreds of schol-

26

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1990

ars that graduate from the Jewish Theo-
logical Seminary.
But to reach the three-day-a-year Jews,
those who attend synagogue only on the
High Holidays, Rabbi Groner has plans.
He wants to see more publications ex-
plaining the values of Conservative
Judaism. He wants to establish stronger
dialogue between the traditional and lib-
eral factions within the movement. And
he wants to find programs that deepen
the relationship between the rabbis and
the laity.
To achieve these goals will take time
from his role as rabbi-for-life at Shaarey
Zedek. But synagogue officials are not
worried.
"We've fortified ourselves for this
move," said President Irving Laker.
Assistant Rabbi William Gershon has a
three-year contract and Rabbi Chuck

"Our greatest problem (in the
Conservative movement) is
collective self-depreciation."

Diamond is completing his first school
year as educational director.
"Rabbi Groner asked our leadership to
strengthen the administration for this
purpose," Laker said. "We feel this is a
wonderful opportunity and that he's the
right man for the job. He gains the respect
of others and that has enriched our syn-
agogue."
Laker added the name of Leonard
Baruch to the list of aides for Rabbi
Groner. A 40-year Shaarey Zedek mem-
ber, Baruch is serving as synagogue ad-
ministrator. His association with Rabbi
Groner goes back to a dark time in
Shaarey Zedek's history.
When Rabbi Morris Adler was shot and
killed by a congregant in 1966, Groner as
assistant rabbi and Baruch as youth di-
rector were at Camp Tamarack with a
Shaarey Zedek youth group.
Rabbi Groner left that evening (after