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Shalom Solel Parents!
I am excited to start another chapter of my career at Congregation Solel, a place which I have quickly come to learn is welcoming, rich in history and truly a community of learners.
Over the coming weeks and months I look forward to getting to know the families and children within the Solel community. Having grown up within the Reform movement, I know the importance of ensuring that both our youth and families are able to create connections to the synagogue in a variety of ways. Coming to Congregation Solel was a natural continuation of a long line of jobs I have held within the Reform movement. Since starting my first job shelving books in my synagogue's library the summer after my Bar Mitzvah at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, MN, being around the synagogue has become second nature to me.
My transition to Congregation Solel comes after working for five years in Los Angeles as the Religious School Principal at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. Prior to living in Los Angeles, I spent a number of years in the Midwest in a variety of capacities that have brought me to this point in my career. My background includes being a former NFTY Regional Director, working at various camps (including Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute and Herzl Camp) for over 12 years, teaching at various synagogues and serving as the Director of Informal Education for nine years at Bet Shalom Congregation in Minnesota's Twin Cities.
I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Yes, I am one of those Midwesterners who moved away for a few years to get away from the freezing cold weather. I moved back to the Midwest and to the Chicago area with my wife, Rabbi Alison Abrams, who is the Assistant Rabbi at Temple Chai in Long Grove, IL. While the weather was beautiful in sunny California, it was just too far from our families.
As we enter the 2009-2010 school year, I will be mindful of the fact that this is a time of great change and transition for the synagogue. I understand and respect the history and heritage of Congregation Solel and will carefully think through the amount of change that occurs initially and the pacing of anything that may be perceived as different over this coming year. In my first few months at Solel, I will be learning what makes this community special. Solel has been serving the North Shore Jewish community for over fifty years and has a rich heritage. What will the next fifty years look like, and what role would you like to play in shaping this legacy?
I intend to continue the successful educational programs that our Religious School provides and to work to create a new and dynamic mood within Congregation Solel that will strengthen the k'hilah kedosah (holy community) of the Religious School. I look forward to building relationships with the incredible families of this congregation. Our school will truly be a "Jewish training ground" where we strive to prepare our students to live responsible adult Jewish lives which can only be achieved with the spirit of cooperation that is so prevalent here.
Feel free to stop in or contact me via phone or e-mail to introduce yourself, talk or ask questions. Todah Rabah.
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Dear Parents,
Our religious school is the heart and soul of our congregation. It is a place where your children feel welcome and engaged, where they make new friends, and where they develop a love of Judaism. It is a place that meets children where they are, getting to know them, their learning styles, their interests and what inspires and engages them. It is our task to work with you in creating the Jewish memories and experiences that last a lifetime.
We are fortunate to have an outstanding religious school director, Geoff Prass, whose experience, enthusiasm and energy fill our halls with learning and laughter. Geoff’s commitment to informal education will ensure that classroom learning is complemented by a full array of activities and enriching experiences. At Solel, we are also fortunate to have a dedicated group of parents who serve on our Religious School Council and help make our learning innovative and relevant
Consistent with the best values of Reform Judaism, our religious school is a place that is welcoming to students and parents from all backgrounds. All students have an opportunity to build relationships with the rabbi, the educator, and our teachers. We prize creativity among our teachers, and look for those who can engage and nurture our children in creative and fun ways.
The Solel religious school was founded in 1954, before the congregation officially began, by parents on the North Shore who wanted to ensure that their children had a meaningful Jewish education. That remains our mission today. Thank you for your trust and confidence, and we look forward to another wonderful year of learning.
Shalom,
Rabbi Evan Moffic
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