Rabbi Kravitz Announces His Upcoming Retirement

Harold Kravitz, Adath Jeshurun Congregation’s senior rabbi, announced Wednesday night his intention to retire at the end of his current contract in June 2023. While the 27 month lead time is a lot, Kravitz acknowledged his desire to give plenty of time to groom the next senior rabbi.

“We feel very fortunate that we made the choice for me to start my career here and blessed beyond measure that Adath Jeshurun has been our home now for 34 years,” Kravitz said in a letter that was sent to the congregation Wednesday evening. “Our congregation is an incredible place to serve as clergy; this is an outstanding community. We are blessed by excellent clergy and staff who care for each other and for our congregation. We have always had wise, talented, and extraordinarily dedicated volunteer leaders.

“It is important that the congregation have time to plan for a smooth transition to our next senior rabbi.”

Kravitz came to Adath in 1987 after graduating from the Jewish Theological Seminary and elevated to senior rabbi in 1996.

“Rabbi Kravitz’s more than three decades of compassionate, steady and thoughtful leadership has made our congregation an even more caring and dedicated community,” Hazzan Joanna Dulkin said. “He is devoted to Adath’s institutional health, to exceptional lay-professional partnerships, and tends to the well-being of each person in our congregation. I am honored to be a part of the clergy team of Adath Jeshurun, where Rabbi Kravitz models every day what it means to be a mensch.”

Adath President Ed Zeman announced that the Board of Trustees has started discussions with Rabbi Aaron Weininger, who has been at Adath since 2012, to become the next senior rabbi. He was elevated from associate rabbi to rabbi this summer by the board. After a period of input from the Adath community, the board will designate the next senior rabbi at a meeting on March 16.

“We are thankful for the quality of our congregation’s professional and volunteer leadership and know that Adath Jeshurun will continue to serve as a leader in the Conservative Movement and be a dynamic and energetic congregation serving our community,” Zeman said. “The Adath Board of Trustees are very appreciative of Rabbi Kravitz providing us the time to thoughtfully and carefully plan for a smooth transition of our rabbinic leadership.”

Kravitz will become Adath’s rabbi emeritus from July 2023.

“Through Rabbi Kravitz’s wisdom, graciousness, and compassion he enriches Adath and the larger Jewish community,” said Weininger. “May that continue for many years to come.”