Posts by Rabbi Stephanie Kramer

Dear Shomrei Torah Family,
 
With a mixture of sadness and excitement, I share with you that I will be leaving the congregation in July, 2021.
 
I have accepted the position of Senior Rabbi at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park, Kansas, a 150 year old historic and dynamic 1,100-family congregation. This is an extraordinary opportunity for me to expand my rabbinate and grow professionally in one of the oldest Reform congregations in the nation. Kansas City offers a vibrant Jewish community and diverse cultural life, and my entire family is looking forward to making a home there.
 
However, it will be very hard to leave this congregation and community that I love so dearly. I have endless gratitude for Shomrei Torah. This congregation is where I grew from student to rabbi, where you helped me evolve into a teacher of Torah over these past 10 years, where I experienced the challenging and inspiring work that made me the rabbi I am today. And this community is where we faced the devastating fires of 2017, where we inspired and strengthened and comforted one another, and where we found healing together. Many of you have been my students, but you all have been my teachers. Please know that I will always cherish my connections with YOU - our fabulous congregants, staff and board - and the stories, lifecycle events, and special moments we have shared.
 
I have been lucky to serve alongside talented, supportive leadership who have become close, personal friends. I am forever grateful to Rabbi George Gittleman, to our incredible staff for their tireless dedication to making CST all that it is, and to our Board Presidents with whom I have had the pleasure of serving: Bruce Falstein, Rachel Cutcher, Ira Glasser, Sharon Bauman, Ann DuBay, and Paul Berlant. I thank our Board of Directors and all of our committee members for their commitment and care. CST will always be in my heart.
 
The pandemic makes this transition so much more challenging in so many ways. When I began my sabbatical in January 2020, we had no idea that our world would turn virtual. I miss seeing you in person, hugging you in the hallway, and engaging in all of the ad hoc conversations that are so much harder in a virtual world. But this is not the end! I look forward to continuing to serve CST through June, and to seeing you over Zoom, to driving by, and to staying connected through many virtual hugs and chats. 
 
With much love and too many blessings to count,
 
Rabbi Stephanie Kramer 

RabbiKramer@bnaijehudah.org

From the CST Board of Directors

We know that all of Congregation Shomrei Torah will join us in congratulating Rabbi Kramer on this incredible opportunity to serve as Senior Rabbi for one of the oldest, largest, and most active Reform Synagogues in the country. This is a once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunity, and her selection to lead The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, is a testament to Rabbi Kramer’s professionalism, creativity, caring, passion -- and her deep experience here at CST.
 
We know, too, that you will join us in shedding a few tears as we contemplate Rabbi Kramer’s June departure. Rabbi Stephanie has been a transformational leader at CST and will be deeply missed. We started to describe the many ways she has – and continues to – contribute to our community, but the list quickly became too long for an email. Be assured that we will all have an opportunity to fete, celebrate and recognize Rabbi Kramer before she leaves CST!  
  
Finally, you may be wondering “What now?” First, Rabbi Stephanie will be here through June, and is dedicated to performing her current functions and helping CST in this transitional period. Second, until Rabbi Gittleman returns from his sabbatical in April, we are keeping him informed and will be consulting with him on key decisions. And throughout the coming months, you can count on the entire CST leadership team to work together to guide our synagogue community.
 
For example, even before we learned of Rabbi Kramer’s plans, the Board had begun a strategic visioning process, led by Judith Richlin-Klonsky and Eli Weinzveg, to explore and respond to CST’s long-term needs, especially in light of changing demographics, a challenging economy, and the effects of the COVID pandemic. You’ll be hearing more soon about this initiative, which will depend heavily on your input and transparent community conversations.
 
And beginning immediately, a transition team will work closely with the strategic visioning group, the rabbis, staff and lay leaders to be certain that Shomrei Torah’s rabbinical, educational and organizational needs continue to be addressed throughout the transition and into the future. You will be receiving periodic updates as we move forward, and we are happy to address any questions you may have along the way.
 
As we work through this transition, we are guided by a quote by Rabbi Dena Weinberg: “There are no problems, only opportunities for growth.”
 
Paul Berlant and Ann DuBay
Co-Presidents, on behalf of the CST Board of Directors