Seven years ago, half way through my first year as the chairperson of the Religious School Committee, Lee Brice gave notice that she had accepted a new full-time position at Congregation Gates of Heaven and we had to decide the best way to identify and hire a new administrator for our religious school. That process, which required us to define the role of the position and the resources that we could commit, resulted in our considering a number of highly qualified applicants.

The candidates ranged from those who would best be able to maintain continuity for our religious school to those who would bring new energy and ideas. In hiring Sandra Goldmeer, we chose the latter. She may not have been the most experienced candidate, but she was the person who gave us the greatest potential to improve our religious school.

Sandra brought us new programs ranging from family education classes to curriculums for teaching Hebrew and other classes. She helped to attract new members to our religious school and to our congregation. She brought energy and innovation to our religious school. In every way she was the right choice.

Now, seven years later, when I am half way through my first year as President, Sandra is moving on to a new position. It is much deserved and will enable her to apply her talents and abilities as regional leader of the USY youth program. We wish her well as she moves on to a new challenge and we will miss her greatly.

But, the change poses new challenges and opportunities for us in deciding how to define or redefine the position Sandra leaves to best meet the needs of our congregation, both in educational programs and in other areas such as our youth programs.

By the time you read this, I hope we will be well along the way in creating a search committee for a new religious school administrator and in deciding what, if any, changes should be made in the scope of the position. I expect that the committee will represent a cross section of congregation members including parents of children in the religious school, current or former teachers and other members of the congregation with an interest in the religious school. Ultimately, the job description for the position and the resources we are able to give to the new administrator are up to the Board of Trustees.

A change in personnel in a critical position creates challenges for any organization, and that is all the more the case when the organization’s staff is as small as ours. The ideal candidate needs to be able to work cooperatively with our other staff, our teachers and volunteers, and most of all, the members of our congregation. I have no doubt that we will find such a person to continue the improvement of our education program.

Throughout this process, please let me know of any questions, concerns or suggestions that you might have.

L’shalom, Hal