"Living at Fox Run is more affordable than living in a house. Maintenance, meals, utilities it's all taken care of in one monthly bill." metro Leadership Change? Shaarey Zedek Rabbi Krakoff's job may be in jeopardy. Ken Guten Cohen Story Development Editor S 4 —Elaine Frazis, Fox Run resident, pictured with daughters Debi and Karen For affordable retirement living, no place compares to Fox Run in Novi. Practically all of your expenses, including property taxes and utilities, are covered by a single monthly check. Since every apartment home is maintenance-free, you'll never have to worry about costly repairs or replacements. Discover a more carefree and economical retirement. Call 1-800-917-2143 today for your free Fox Run brochure. Fox Run Add more Living to your Life" Novi EricksonLiving.com 8622639 24 July 10 • 2014 JN ince early last week, rumors have been swirling in the com- munity about the fate of Rabbi Joseph H. Krakoff, a religious leader since 1998 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, Detroit's largest and oldest Conservative synagogue. At press time, the IN was unable to confirm rumors whether the synagogue's executive officers told the rabbi last week that his contract will not be renewed; its ending date is believed to be 16-22 months from now Shaarey Zedek executive direc- tor Shim Shapiro declined to comment; Rabbi Krakoff and congregation president Mary Knoll issued two brief emailed statements to congregants. The last, on Monday afternoon, said: "The Executive Board of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, in consultation with several past presidents and after hear- ing from the Board of Trustees, are in discussions with Rabbi Krakoff about the future direction of the Congregation and Rabbi Krakoff's continuing role. We realize that these matters affect our entire membership of passionate and dedicated congregants. However, at this time we must ask that everyone respect the role of the Congregation's elected leaders and the decency and privacy of the process and all those involved. "We also ask that people avoid specu- lation and conjecture, and allow these discussions to reach conclusion. We thank everyone for their patience during this time, and we will share details as soon as appropriate:' Speculation and conjecture already were rampant. The IN received several letters to the editor in support of Krakoff, a respected rabbi who has emerged as a local Conservative leader and bridge builder among other local communities, especially Catholics. The letters praise Krakoff as a "devoted friend and mentor" and someone who "puts congregants first:' CSZ member Jeff Selik reached out this week on Facebook to gather emails of congregants interested in saving Krakoff's job. And active CSZ congregants con- tacted by the JN expressed shock that their rabbi might have been asked to step down; they were searching for answers or confirmation. Many complained about the process they felt might have excluded general membership. Yet, a source close to the board said privacy is typical in contractual matters where "sensitivity and legal ramifications" must be taken into consideration, and cautioned that the situation "is still liquid, discussions are still ongoing and things could change in a matter of days." Yet the source alluded to "the evolu- tion of the synagogue" and the need for a "different kind of rabbi" Like most Conservative synagogues in the coun- try, Shaarey Zedek's membership has declined. Current membership is estimat- ed to be around 1,000 member units, but CSZ would not confirm that number. Krakoff has been a rabbi at the syna- gogue for 16 years, coming straight to Shaarey Zedek after his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. When it was time to choose one rabbi to lead the congregation, Krakoff earned the position over another young rabbi on staff. Krakoff's family has grown up with the congregation. His wife, Susan, is a Jewish educator and b'nai mitzvah tutor at Shaarey Zedek. Daughter Atara attends Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield, while sons Micah and Elan go to Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills. The rabbi has served as past president of both the Michigan Board of Rabbis and the Rabbinical Assembly-Michigan Region, and serves on the boards of many local secular and Jewish organizations. He deferred comment to his attorney, Sue Ellen Eisenberg of Sue Ellen Eisenberg and Associates PC, an employment law firm in Bloomfield Hills. Although not confirming nor denying that Krakoff's contract will not be renewed, she emphat- ically stated that any action has "nothing to do with any allegation of misconduct" "The rabbi has devoted the last 16 years of his life to the congregation of Shaarey Zedek and has enormous love, care and empathy for every member" she said. "He's open to any discussion regard- ing solutions that would best enhance the interests of the synagogue, and he is someone you can count on to work with those to support the integrity of Shaarey Zedek. He's very beloved there. "We hear the same rumors — that they want to change the direction of the synagogue. If that is the decision, then presumably there is a decision to change leadership. That is what it is. There is a division of labor between the business and spiritual sides for a reason; it's something a rabbi can't necessarily control" ❑