Temple Beth Elohim to Install Laurie Gold as New Rabbi

Temple Beth Elohim, a Reform synagogue serving Putnam County, Northern Westchester County, Southern Dutchess County as well as Fairfield County, Conn., is excited to announce that Laurie Gold will be installed as its new Rabbi during a Sabbath evening service on Friday, October 19, at 7:30 pm.

Rabbi Gold replaces the late Rabbi Solomon Acrish, who served for nearly 50 years at the reform synagogue in Brewster, N.Y.

Temple Beth Elohim will also hold an Oktoberfest welcome party for Rabbi Gold on the afternoon of Sunday, October 21.

Both events will take place at Temple Beth Elohim, 31 Mount Ebo Rd. North in Brewster, N.Y.

Rabbi Gold replaces the late Rabbi Solomon Acrish, who served as Temple Beth Elohim’s rabbi for nearly 50 years. Rabbi Gold was an intern to Rabbi Acrish during her last year of rabbinical school. She also served as the transitional rabbi at Temple Beth Elohim over the past year, as a Temple committee conducted a comprehensive search for a permanent rabbi.

After interviewing several finalists, the search committee recommended Rabbi Gold, who was approved by a greater than two-thirds positive vote by the temple’s membership.

“It is with great pride and happiness that we welcome Rabbi Laurie Gold as our Rabbi at Temple Beth Elohim,” said Bruce Feniger, president of Temple Beth Elohim. “Her background, temperament and overall persona make her the perfect fit to help us grow and redefine who we are to the current congregation, the future congregation and to the whole community that we serve. I could not be more pleased and can hardly wait to watch how bright our future will be because of her. “

In her previous roles at Temple Beth Elohim, Rabbi Gold has taught courses on numerous topics, including the Prophets, Jewish holidays; Jewish yoga and meditation; and Jewish ethics. She has also led several nature hikes for congregants, which have included prayer and meditation.

Rabbi Gold grew up in Great Neck, Long Island, where she attended services and Hebrew school at Temple Beth El. She was inspired by her childhood rabbi, Jerome K. Davidson.  

Rabbi Gold received a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Michigan and a Law Degree from Hofstra Law School. She came to the rabbinate as a second career, having worked as a trial attorney for many years, specializing in tort defense. She earned her rabbinical degree at The Academy for Jewish Religion.

“I am so happy to be serving the wonderful people of Temple Beth Elohim,” said Rabbi Gold.

Temple Beth Elohim (“House of God”) is a Brewster, N.Y.-based Reform synagogue based on inclusiveness, where everyone is welcome, regardless of age, marital status, sexual orientation, or whether a Jew by birth or by choice. The Temple practices liberal Judaism within an atmosphere that is warm and traditional. Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, the Temple strives to be a center for religious observance, Hebrew and cultural education, and family and social life. For members drawn to activity and service, there are ample opportunities for doing mitzvot for the Temple and our community through our Sisterhood and Men’s Club.

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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