Temple Emanuel of Andover Appoints Rabbi David Wilfond as New Rabbi

After a thorough and extensive search, Temple Emanuel of Andover, the largest Reform Congregation north of Boston, is thrilled to announce Rabbi David Wilfond has been selected as the new rabbi following unanimous approval by the temple’s search committee, the Board of Governors and the congregation. Rabbi Wilfond will assume his new position on July 1, 2024. Rabbi Wilfond currently serves as Senior Rabbi at Temple Shaaray Tefila of Bedford Corners, NY, a Reform synagogue serving 600 families in northern Westchester County.

Rabbi Wilfond previously served Jewish communities in Wellesley, London, the Ukraine, and Israel. A native of New Jersey, Rabbi Wilfond graduated from Rutgers University with honors, earned master’s degrees from University of Florida and Hebrew Union College, and was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Rabbi Wilfond is widely recognized as a leader in the reform movement, an outstanding educator, innovative programmer, and warm pastoral presence.

After receiving his Rabbinic Ordination and second master’s from HUC, Rabbi Wilfond served for two years as the first reform Rabbi in Kiev, Ukraine. He returned to the U.S. to serve as a congregational rabbi in the Boston area for five years. In 2004, he made Aliyah and worked for six years at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem as the Director of Admissions and Rabbi of the Murstein Synagogue.

“We are excited for our future under Rabbi Wilfond’s leadership and are confident that his deep knowledge of and passion for synagogue life and wealth of Jewish experiences and achievements will be wonderful assets as he leads our congregation,” said Search Committee Co-Chairs Kathe Tuttman and Dana Cohen. “During the interview process we were impressed with Rabbi Wilfond’s warmth, compassion, experience, ability to inspire and reputation throughout the Reform community. We truly are lucky to be welcoming him to Temple Emanuel.”

Rabbi Wilfond’s wife Deborah is a lawyer, yoga instructor, and writer of a weekly blog called "Mindful Torah." In 2010, they moved to her native England, where he served as the associate rabbi at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London, England. After their son Isaac was born there, the Wilfonds returned to Jerusalem where Rabbi Wilfond worked for seven years as the Director of Education for NFTY in Israel. In addition to Isaac, they have two other school-aged children, Eliora and Rafi, who were born in Jerusalem. Rabbi Wilfond loves taking family hikes, bike riding, eating ice cream, singing with others, and sharing a good conversation.

“My wife, Deborah, and I and our three children are thrilled to be joining Temple Emanuel in Andover and embarking on the next chapter of this beloved 103-year-old institution. The search committee, executive board members, lay leaders and staff have been so warm and welcoming during the interview process and our visits. The passion and commitment the community has for Temple Emanuel is palpable, and I am excited to build on the community’s strong past and work together for a bright future,” said Rabbi Wilfond. “I look forward to returning to Massachusetts and developing strong relationships with my new colleagues Cantor Rachel Reef-Simpson and the Director of Education Betsy Kachel, as well as the staff and teachers who make Temple Emanuel so special. I’m most excited to get know the families of Temple Emanuel, some of whom I know through my years at Camp Eisner and become their spiritual leader and partner through important life cycle events as well as the everyday moments we will share.”

Temple Emanuel is the largest Reform Congregation north of Boston and an active member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Temple Emanuel of Andover is the religious and educational center for Reform Judaism in the Merrimack Valley. For additional information, email info@templeemanuel.net or contact the Temple Office at 978.470.1356. Temple Emanuel is located at 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, MA. For more information, visit www.templeemanuel.net.