Rabbi Weininger became an employee one of the most elite, exclusive, politically correct and Minnesota (n)iciest (even by local standards) congregations.

I very much hope that during his tenure, the Rabbi can restore the support for Israel within the congregation, so seriously and purposefully undermined by one of the previous congregation spiritual leaders.

Also, being responsible for Jewish Education, I hope that the Rabbi will realize that Bat/Bar Mitzvah is not the end of the Jewish education, nor its culmination, rather, just a beginning. I hope the Rabbi will be able to change the current Adath “Bar Mitzvah Factory” to something that is more meaningful — an experience that is enjoyable and fulfilling for the whole family, a milestone and ceremony that entices the whole family to continue to actively pursue Judaism and Jewish Knowledge, and not quit attending the shul after the meat-grinder and complete exhaustion of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. After all, if the whole family is not attending, what expectation can one have of the kids?

I also hope that Rabbi Weininger will bring a more humane, helping attitude among Adath clergy, and I hope that he will never, ever have to utter the words that my wife and I heard at Adath when we came to one of the rabbis there asking for help, words that I will never forget: “American rabbis do not actually help people, they just mediate conflicts”.

Dmitry.