It has now been two months since CCAR President Lewis Kamrass and I announced that the CCAR hired Alcalaw LLP to conduct a neutral and thorough review of the CCAR ethics process. By undertaking this review, we are endeavoring to critically examine how we as a conference have responded in the past to complaints of misconduct by member rabbis that were reported to the Ethics Committee. We are not re-investigating formerly adjudicated cases, but rather examining the CCAR’s ethics process in those cases. As the Chief Executive of the CCAR during this period of introspection, I am committed to learning about how the work of the Ethics Committee has impacted the lives of those it has affected over the years and using that information to inform our efforts to evolve the process in a thoughtful way.

I want to thank anyone who may have already participated in the process by speaking to our legal team at Alcalaw. The inquiry is ongoing, and I want to encourage those inclined to share their experience with the CCAR ethics process, whether as a complainant, witness, or member rabbi, to schedule a time to do so by contacting Alcalaw here.

The CCAR intends to use the information learned from Alcalaw’s investigation to effectuate changes to our ethics process and is committed to doing so in a way that is mindful of the sensitivities and privacy interests at stake for those who have shared their lived experiences. If you are hesitant to share your experience with the CCAR ethics process because of concerns about your confidentiality, or if you wish to request that your account be anonymized, I encourage you to contact Alcalaw to discuss these considerations in advance of deciding whether to speak with them about your experience at greater length.

Even while Alcalaw conducts its historical review, the work of the CCAR Ethics Committee continues unabated. If you have information about—but have not previously reported—a CCAR rabbi you believe has violated the Ethics Code, please share that information with the Ethics Committee by contacting them here.

As our work continues, I am optimistic about the good that will come from this process and remain hopeful that our Reform community can unify around the principles of ethics, fairness, and compassion.

Rabbi Hara E. Person, Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis

“I’m so proud that Inscribed – and the twenty-two extraordinary authors whose contributions fill its pages – has been honored with this award,” said Rabbi Hayon. “The insightful chapters in Inscribed help bring us into a new relationship with the Ten Commandments and ensure that those ancient words remain powerfully relevant to the modern world. All of the contributors provide wise and articulate perspectives into the world of the Bible, and I am so pleased that they have been recognized and honored for their work.”

Contributors to Inscribed are both rabbis and scholars, including Rabbi Michael Marmur, PhD, former Dean and current Associate Professor of Jewish Theology at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem; Dr. Alan Morinis, founder of The Mussar Institute and author of the bestseller Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar; Dr. Batya Ungar-Sargon, Deputy Opinion Editor at Newsweek; and Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, the author of seventeen books on Jewish ethics and President and Dean of the Valley Beit Midrash.

“It is a privilege for one of our titles to receive this recognition from the Independent Publisher Book Awards,” said Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive of the CCAR. “I wish heartfelt congratulations to Rabbi Hayon and to all of Inscribed’s contributors. This accomplishment illustrates the deep value of their work and exemplifies the high standards we uphold at CCAR Press.”

In the last weeks, I have written several times that I believe we are at an inflection point. These are not merely words—I truly believe we are at a moment that will separate the CCAR of the past from the CCAR of the future.

Ever since I was chosen to lead the CCAR, I have viewed it as my job to listen and hear about both what works well at CCAR and where we can do better. The review and audit of our ethics system that we announced earlier this year at Convention was driven in large part by that process of listening. My leadership is also informed by what I learned while leading the Task Force on the Experience of Women in the Rabbinate, hearing painful stories from women rabbis of misogyny and sexism, as well as sexual misconduct, over the past several decades.

I was asked recently if I have been changed by the stories that we all have been hearing lately. The answer is yes, these stories have changed me, but it is a change that has happened incrementally over the last five years. It is impossible not to be affected by what we have learned in the past few years. Women have always known these problems existed because we have experienced them firsthand, but it takes on a different meaning when you hear a new story every day for years. It adds up. That is why we started the Task Force on the Experience of Women in the Rabbinate. The formal work of the Task Force may have come to a close, but the underlying goals and purpose are now embedded in the CCAR and will continue to influence decision-making.

My heart is heavy because of these stories, but my drive to create change is only strengthened by what I have learned. I am motivated in much that I do as chief executive in part as a result of the painful experiences of colleagues. There are many kinds of pain that rabbis experience—loneliness, isolation, stress, loss, financial worries, but also sexual abuse, sexual harassment, homophobia, and misogyny. Sometimes these different forms of pain are related. All of this pain impels my work and my vision for the CCAR of the future.

In addition to an upgrade of the CCAR ethics system, we have also been in a process of changing other CCAR policies and procedures. Some of this is part of the natural growth cycle of an organization, especially one under new leadership, and some is a result of what I have learned, seen, and heard from you before becoming chief executive. I am called to do this change work because of the ways that I myself have been changed by the stories with which you have entrusted me.

CCAR’s change moment is here. Organizations must always change and evolve with the times. The difficult work we are engaged in right now is the result of the exact type of conversations so many institutions, including our partner organizations, are also having at this time. As community leaders, we all have a responsibility to make the changes necessary to maintain the community’s trust.

I welcome the challenges we are facing in this moment because I believe this is a galvanizing opportunity to build a stronger organization. I am not afraid of reexamining our past in order to create a better future. This will be painful, yes, but ultimately the work ahead of us will enable us to envision and create a strong and healthy future for the Reform rabbinate and the communities we serve.

Rabbi Hara E. Person, Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis

We are committed to keeping you informed about the ongoing work of CCAR’s investigation into our ethics system. Today we want to share more information about the investigation itself, as well as about Alcalaw LLP, the firm hired by CCAR to undertake the investigation.

In this time of self-reflection, the leadership of the Central Conference of American Rabbis recognizes that in order to prepare for the future, we must first examine and learn from our past. To that end, the CCAR has hired Alcalaw to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of the CCAR ethics system past and present, and to assist the CCAR in identifying changes that can be made to the system to better serve the goal of fairly administering a process that holds CCAR rabbis to the shared expectations of behavior outlined in the Ethics Code and protects the communities they serve.

Alcalaw is a women-founded firm whose attorneys have extensive experience investigating sensitive matters, including matters involving sexual misconduct, in both the private sector and as former prosecutors at the federal and state level. Alcalaw takes a humanistic approach to the law and provides legal and investigative services grounded in trauma-informed practices. The investigation is being led by Alcalaw founding partners Rena Paul and Margaret Gandy, along with attorney Rahel Bayar.

Hearing personal accounts from members of the community will be vital to Alcalaw’s ability to conduct a comprehensive investigation, and the CCAR encourages anyone with information about the CCAR ethics system to contact Alcalaw here.

Alcalaw is conducting the investigation with integrity and discretion, and with the full cooperation of the CCAR. Alcalaw will report its findings to CCAR leadership, who are committed to listening and applying the information learned to better serve our community. This process will take time, but it is important work that must be done.

Rabbi Lewis Kamrass, President
Rabbi Hara E. Person, Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis

There is no place in society for sexual abuse. It is heartbreaking to hear of these painful experiences that nobody should ever go through. At the CCAR, we are listening, learning, and using this as an opportunity to create real change.

CCAR takes seriously the elevated role that faith-based organizations hold in peoples’ lives. We recognize our responsibility to uphold the sacred relationships and trust that our community places on CCAR rabbis, and we are committed to transparency and accountability.

The allegations surrounding Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman’s actions more than 20 years ago are deeply troubling, as are questions that have been raised about CCAR’s investigation of those circumstances. While the members of CCAR’s current senior staff were not part of the organization at that time, we embrace the responsibility of critically examining our past and responding constructively to what we learn.

We are pleased that Alcalaw, a trauma-informed, women-led law firm experienced in handling matters involving sexual misconduct, has agreed to conduct a neutral, third-party investigation into the CCAR’s ethics process. Investigations like this take time in order to be done thoroughly and accurately. Their team has already established a reporting hotline, and we encourage people to bring forth information about the CCAR’s handling of any previously filed ethics complaints. CCAR is eager to learn the results of the investigation and will use that to inform our next steps.

This is a galvanizing moment that will enable CCAR to create meaningful change. While our hearts ache to hear of the pain being expressed at this time, we welcome the challenges of this moment because the important learning that will result will help shape the future of our ethics process. The information that will emerge from this investigation will enable us to build a strong and healthy future for the Reform rabbinate and the communities we serve.

If you would like to report information about the CCAR’s handling of a previously filed ethics complaint, contact Alcalaw LLP at ccar@alcalaw.com. If you would like to file a new ethics complaint, contact the CCAR Ethics Committee at ethics@ccarnet.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 20, 2021
Press Inquiries: Sara Spain, sara.spain@berlinrosen.com

Senior Rabbi of Isaac M. Wise Temple in Cincinnati Becomes Leader of Reform Rabbinic Leadership Organization

New York, NY – Rabbi Lewis H. Kamrass has been installed as the new president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) following the 2021 CCAR annual Convention, where Reform rabbis gathered virtually in mid-March for four days of learning, praying, and connecting. During the Convention, Rabbi Kamrass joined Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive of CCAR to share their vision for the future of CCAR and Reform Judaism with their rabbinic peers for the first time, including their plans to build off the work of Rabbi Ronald Segal, who served as CCAR president for the last two years.

Rabbis have worked hard over the past year to keep the Jewish community united and connected and to meet the needs of their individual communities during holidays and as spiritual first responders. While rabbis and communities continue to face new challenges with the ongoing pandemic, CCAR is continuing to support its rabbis so that they can be their best selves as leaders of Jewish life. As the new President of CCAR, Rabbi Kamrass will help lead the organization’s efforts to provide deepened rabbinic support, expand professional development and renewal, share meaningful resources with rabbis and the Jewish community, and develop unique experiences for rabbis to join together and provide mutual strength and inspiration.

“When rabbis are inspired and supported, Jewish life and the Jewish community flourishes,” said Rabbi Kamrass, CCAR President. “I’m so honored to step in and lead CCAR in this unprecedented moment to ensure our rabbis are nurtured, supported and cared for as they courageously lead our Jewish community into a post-pandemic future.”
“I’m honored to work alongside Rabbi Kamrass in our continued efforts to support rabbis and the Jewish community as they confront the challenges brought about by the ongoing pandemic,” Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive of CCAR. “Together we will ensure CCAR continues to grow and learn about how to serve a wider swath of our members, developing new ways of creating rabbinic community and meeting rabbis’ needs so that they can better serve their communities. I am also grateful to outgoing president Rabbi Ron Segal for his dedicated work helping to lead our members through this difficult past year.”

Rabbi Kamrass is currently the Senior Rabbi of Isaac M. Wise Temple of Cincinnati, Ohio, the historic synagogue inspired by the innovative vision of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, founder of Reform Judaism in the United States. Rabbi Kamrass has been part of the Wise Temple’s rabbinate for 36 years and is also a long-standing member of the CCAR Board of Trustees. He received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati.

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About the Central Conference of American Rabbis: The Central Conference of American Rabbis is the Reform Rabbinic leadership organization. The CCAR strengthens the Jewish community by providing religious, spiritual, ethical and intellectual leadership and wisdom. CCAR and its members lead the Reform Movement on important spiritual, social, cultural and human rights issues, as it has done since 1889. CCAR also is the center for lifelong rabbinic learning, professional development, and resources for the 2,100 rabbis who serve more than 1.5 million Reform Jews throughout North America, Israel and the world. Since its founding, the CCAR has also served as the primary publisher of the Reform Movement through CCAR Press and its imprint Reform Judaism Publishing.

11 Tishrei, 5781

Dear Colleagues,

For our congregation’s Yom Kippur afternoon text study this year, I decided to address the topic of hakarat hatov. With a list of concerns, fears, grievances, and worries that continues to grow for so many, dedicating an hour to an appreciation of life’s blessings and the importance of cultivating gratitude seemed particularly timely and needed. Included in the texts I selected for study was one in Mishkan HaNefesh (p. 313), “For Every Act of Goodness,” which invites the reader to consider personal acts of healing and repair, the good we have done during the past year.

Although the responsibilities of Sukkot and beyond have already moved to the front of the line, it also seems timely to invite an individual and collective rabbinic pause … for our personal, incredibly well-earned hakarat hatov. With little to no training in the art and skill of virtual rabbinic leadership (at least for most), we navigated some of the most intense and stressful months many of us have confronted in our rabbinates. And, with whatever resources we had at our disposal, despite any unforeseen or uncontrollable glitches or interruptions, and to the best of our ability, we managed to lead and guide our communities through these Days of Awe.

While it may not be our nature to “pat ourselves on the back,” I hope we can pause long enough to recognize the extraordinary work we have done for our communities and for the Jewish people over these past several months. In the wake of these previously unimaginable Holy Days, this is surely a fitting time to appreciate the good we have done…

•    by approaching these days with integrity and a commitment to infuse them with meaning to the best of our abilities;
•    by learning new technologies to serve our communities;
•    by employing creative approaches to tradition;
•    by showing concern for the most vulnerable and isolated members of our congregations and communities;
•    by sharing resources with colleagues to help with Holy Day preparation;
•    by pushing through personal exhaustion or overwhelm and rising to meet the unprecedented challenges of this moment in time; and
•    by striving to address the spiritual needs and yearning of all whom we serve during these emotionally taxing days.

In whatever ways we observed, led, navigated, or endured this year’s Yamim Noraim, may we all appreciate that “we were enough” for this moment and recognize what we have accomplished for our congregations, our communities, and the Jewish people. Within the bubble of our shared rabbinic community, let us wish one another a well-deserved “yasher koach” for exceptional rabbinic leadership and dedication!

May 5781 be a year of peace, blessing, good health, and new promise for you and your loved ones.

Ron Segal