From: Young Israel of Century City
Dear Member,
We have important news that we prefer you learn from the shul rather than from another source. We would normally send this by snail mail, but given the time sensitive nature of the announcement, we had to use e-mail.
Rabbi Weiner has been offered a full time position as the Jewish Chaplain of Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. Rabbi Weiner's affiliation with the hospital began when Rabbi Levi Meier A"H took ill and could not continue full time at the hospital without some relief. A number of members, together with Rabbi Muskin, suggested that Rabbi Weiner could and should assist Rabbi Meier. Over the course of his two years at the hospital, Rabbi Weiner has already had wide reaching influence, such that when the executive search group Isaacson Miller made its recommendation concluding a six month national search process, Rabbi Weiner was the unanimous choice. He was chosen over people twenty years his senior, over people with degrees in chaplaincy and over a number of PhD's. The search committee recognized Rabbi Weiner's sterling personal qualities, his steadfastness and commitment, and his youth and energy.
The hospital understandably desires Rabbi Weiner's full time commitment and as such Rabbi Weiner will conclude his third year with us on August 14th (the hospital is allowing Rabbi Weiner to devote time to wind down his administrative commitments to the shul between July 20th when he starts there and August 14th) and then leave our payroll. A press release is going out on Monday afternoon and an e-mail to Cedar Sinai's 11,000 employees. Rabbi Weiner desires to keep a strong association with the shul and will continue giving a series of adult education courses and organizing a rotation of Rabbanim (including himself) to cover the 9:30 minyan while we determine our future course. At the upcoming board meeting on the 20th, we will suggest that the new administration be given a chance to get their bearings and to appoint a search committee for Rabbi Weiner's ultimate replacement and to determine the nature of that position in the future.
As an aside, while the departure of Rabbi Weiner from our payroll will certainly help in our efforts to cut costs in the short term, on July 20th, the Board will be entertaining significant cuts (to the tune of 10% of the shul's operating budget) suggested by the Cost-Cutting Committee - independent of the savings on Rabbi Weiner's salary and benefits. A more detailed explanation of these cuts will be explained in a letter to the membership -- following the 20th -- to the extent that the Board approves any or all of them.
While Rabbi Weiner, Lauren and their family will continue to live and work in our midst, and while Rabbi Weiner will continue serving us in a voluntary capacity, the Weiner family is closing a chapter in their lives with us. We were blessed to have such a wonderful couple alongside the Muskin's at our helm. I know that you all join us in thanking them for three rich and productive years and in wishing them Hatzlacha Rabba in their next set of endeavors.
Best to all,
Rabbi Muskin Seth Berkowitz Suzanne Schlanger
