When the new rabbinic candidate’s resume crossed the desks of the search committee in late 2004, everyone immediately knew: Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg would be Ohef Sholom Temple’s new rabbi. An assistant rabbi at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation at the time, Rabbi Roz promised sermons no longer than 18 minutes, remembered everyone she met and who they were related to, had a beautiful singing voice, was kind, attentive, smart, and happened to have been a friend and former classmate of Cantor Jennifer Bern-Vogel’s, then cantor of Ohef Sholom.
Rabbi Roz’s official start date as senior rabbi was July 1, 2005, but, true to her commitment to her new temple family, she officiated at a funeral for a congregant several days earlier. The fit seemed perfect, and now nearly 20 years and hundreds of baby namings, b’nai mitzvot, weddings, funerals, board meetings, and community celebrations and commemorations later, the congregation is planning a series of events to celebrate the milestone. The first is a Shabbat service and congregational dinner on Friday, June 6.
Bill Nusbaum, a past president of Ohef Sholom who chaired the search committee which hired Rabbi Roz, spoke with her for Jewish News.
Bill Nusbaum: Where and what did you study in college? Where did you work before you went to Hebrew Union College? What called you to become a Reform Rabbi?
Rabbi Roz: I majored in English at Pomona College, Class of 1986. I then worked for some nonprofits, culminating in a fundraising and event planning job with the Jewish National Fund, which builds infrastructure in Israel (it is best known for planting trees). I knew from that job that I wanted a Jewish communal career but one that included learning, teaching, and impacting people’s lives.
I had no role model of female clergy growing up, but when I graduated from college and returned home to Los Angeles, I joined a synagogue whose rabbi was a woman and I quickly realized I was meant to be a congregational rabbi. Every time she spoke, I felt she was speaking to me. When HUC’s 1991 application cycle opened, I applied and was admitted. Upon graduating from HUC, I was ordained on May 19, 1996. I then spent nine years at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, before coming to Ohef Sholom in June 2005.
BN: What have you learned from leading Ohef Sholom that further shaped your own Jewish identity and practice?
RR: The hardest thing about being a rabbi is being true to yourself, leading with authenticity. So, what I brought to the congregation was love. For me, people are more important than platitudes and relationships are more important than rules. I knew when I came to Ohef Sholom that I wanted to be here because the congregants really loved and cared about their congregation. I could see that the congregation had “good bones,” not in terms of the building, although it is beautiful, but because of its people. The genuine connection and passionate commitment of this community to Judaism, to each other, and to a better world are both what have most moved me and impacted on my Jewish identity; I have never been a part of a community like Ohef Sholom before; it is a true home and family.
BN: What is your proudest achievement at Ohef Sholom?
RR: I’ve strived to influence the Temple’s culture to become a place where people really care about each other – because that’s what endures. Our growth and stability come from creating a caring community where people are invested in each other. And while some Reform congregations have defined themselves as social justice actors, allying themselves with one political party, we’ve avoided that. We try very hard to keep things Jewish-focused and stick to being our congregants’ Jewish home.
BN: How did you and Cantor Rueben develop such remarkable bimah chemistry?
RR: For Cantor Jen to thrive, I knew she had to be allowed to fly. So, we consult on nearly everything. We have really good, honest communication, and we just complement each other. I don’t mind her doing things she does well, even if they’re in my lane, and she doesn’t mind my singing along with her. Over the past eight years, the more time we spent together, the closer we became. That’s where the chemistry comes from – it’s genuine.
BN: How do you balance tradition with Reform Judaism’s progressive values?
RR: To quote Cantor Jennifer Bern-Vogel (our “Cantor Jennifer the First”), who quoted past president, Rob Goodman, “The hallmark of Ohef Sholom is evolution, not revolution.” We try to balance our heritage and change and move forward slowly; but we don’t worry about being in lockstep with either tradition or Reform Judaism as it’s evolved. We have our own special sauce and our own customs that we practice. But we also embrace the progressive tenets of Reform Judaism, seeing the value in every human being and loving the stranger in our midst. Through the years, Ohef Sholom has always stood with those who needed help.
BN: How do you maintain your own spiritual practice while leading others?
RR: Very intentionally. When I’m leading worship, I try to ensure I’m praying. When I’m preparing for a class, I try to ensure I’m studying. I’ve tried different spiritual practices – meditative walking, chanting, and others. But most important is to be intentional about doing acts of chesed (lovingkindness) – but that’s who I was even before HUC.
BN: What do you envision for Ohef Sholom in 2030?
RR: I want to know that Ohef Sholom is a sacred congregation on sound footing in terms of leadership, commitment, and financial security. I envision us going from strength to strength, providing a place for vital Jewish living, learning, and acts of loving-kindness for our members. Honestly, I’m not concerned about us being a sacred community; I’m worried about sustainability for the generations to come. I want whoever succeeds me to inherit, like I did, a congregation with great bones.
BN: What gives you hope for the future of Judaism and our congregation?
RR: Keeping our children here in Hampton Roads has long been a challenge for our Jewish community. But our congregation’s growing and thriving religious school, with its enthusiastic kids, serious b’nai mitzvah students, and committed confirmands are living vibrant Jewish lives and love it here, and that bodes well for the futures of both our congregation and Judaism.