metro

Reachin
Out

Shaarey Zedek hold
town hall meeting
about Rabbi Krakoff's
exit, shul's future.

Shaarey Zedek

Keri Guten Cohen

Story Development Editor

C

lose to 600 members of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
filled a social hall at the Southfield
synagogue July 15 for a "town hall" meet-
ing regarding the board's decision to sign a
separation agreement with its senior rabbi,
Joseph H. Krakoff.
Krakoff has been at Shaarey Zedek for 16
years; his tenure ends July 31. The decision,
though both parties agreed to confidential-
ity, leaked to the membership and caused
enough dissension that the Save Our
Synagogue (SOS) Committee was formed
and is collecting signatures on a petition to
oust the six-member executive board.
The town hall meeting was called to
deliver direct information to members after
the board realized lack of communication
had caused rumor and innuendo to create
an emotional rift in the membership.
"We all are hurting," CSZ President Mary
Knoll told the town hall crowd. "Many
were surprised by the abrupt news and felt
unimportant. I sincerely apologize. The
board action was intended to protect the
dignity and respect of
the rabbi:'
She then explained
the board was restricted
legally and ethically
from discussing private
employment details.
Knoll did disclose the
board of trustees voted
Mary Knoll
34-3 for the employment
separation.
"This is about our synagogue family as a
whole, not about the rabbi, president, board,
but about how together we support each
other and continue to be part of a kehillah
kedosha, a sacred community," she said. "We
persevere and believe in the future of our
synagogue beyond today's pain.
"Tonight is an important part of the
healing process," she said.
Knoll said the executive board, board of
trustees and other leaders believe "a change
in leadership is necessary for the future
success of Congregation Shaarey Zedek"
Krakoff's strengths and weaknesses were
discussed generally, not in great detail.
Knoll and other leaders did say they were

looking for a visionary leader. Although
not tied directly to Krakoff, it also was
explained that CSZ's membership has fallen
by more than 1,400 family units during his
tenure. The membership currently stands
around 1,100 family units. Decreased dues
revenue does not cover the synagogue's
operating costs, Knoll said.
She said the weakened Detroit economy,
a shrinking Jewish population and mem-
bership loss across the Conservative move-
ment nationally accounted for the member-
ship drop at the 152-year-old synagogue as
well.
Larry Nemer, vice president/treasurer,
said, "We spent hours with professionals
and attorneys to figure out the best process.
We had to balance the needs and respect of
Rabbi Krakoff with the desire of the board
and congregation, knowing there was no
way to do it without compromising one of
those groups. We feel badly that we made
some mistakes:'
Other speakers, among them past
president Brian Hermelin, board member
Kari Alterman and honorary president Bill
Berman, came to the podium to give the
executive board their support. The entire
board sat before the congregation.
At one point, a speaker mentioned Rabbi
Aaron Starr's recent Shabbat sermons
addressing issues facing the synagogue and
the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Starr will lead upcoming High Holiday
services along with Cantor David Propis
and Assistant Cantor Leonard Gutman,
Knoll said this week

Congregants Speak

During the final part of the meeting, mem-
bers were able to ask questions and make
comments.
Many spoke critically of the decision
regarding Krakoff. They spoke of his deep
connections with their families at times of
sickness and death and how he kvelled with
them in joyous times like weddings and
b'nai mitzvahs.
Others spoke of the process and the lack
of transparency in the decision. One man
said the situation hurt Shaarey Zedek's
reputation in the community.
Still others supported the board's actions,
appreciated their volunteer work and felt
the meeting started a healing process.

Some of the most compelling comments
came from younger members.
David Salama, 36, is a multi-generational
member. "I'm one of the families you want
to hold onto," he said. "I do respect those
on the dias [the board]; I do not agree with
your decision. Attendance today and at the
[SOS] meeting Sunday shows the pulse of
the synagogue is not in your hands. You
didn't have a full grasp of the reaction:'
When he said life-cycle events are the
most important part of being a rabbi,
members applauded. He continued by say-
ing he picked a date for his son's bar mitz-
vah and wants a rabbi who knows his son,
not one who needs "Cliff Notes:'
Leah Gawel, another young member, told
the crowd, "We can all do better, not just a
rabbi. Shabbat we are not here; at Sunday
school, we are not here. We can all be nicer.
We can make room at Kiddush; invite peo-
ple for Shabbat. We need to show up and
welcome those who are lost or alone:'

Going Forward

The SOS Committee still is gathering signa-
tures on its petition to recall the three exec-
utive board officers and replace them with
three of its own. Names were not submitted
for the three at-large executive board mem-
bers. Two hundred signatures are needed
for a special congregational meeting Aug.
24, and they have close to 400, according to
Jeannie Weiner, a committee spokesperson.
"There is still a tremendous amount of
anger and emotion," she said. "I was happy
to see they had a town hall meeting; it was
appropriate. It's good in the future to have
this sort of thing if people feel passionate:'
Knoll told the IN, "The next step is
to discuss ways to better communicate,
engage and get feedback from members. As
changes may come, they will be with input
from the congregation ... We need to work
collaboratively to build for the future:'
She says she expects to call another town
hall to discuss the next steps.
"We know we need to improve commu-
nication and forums to speak with us — it's
necessary. Members want to have a voice
and know that we hear them. We have to
be creative and have accessible ways to talk
with members:'

❑

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