Temple Shalom makes history, names two females co-Senior Rabbis

Temple Shalom of Newton officially announced that Rabbi Laura Abrasley and Rabbi Allison Berry will be the Temple’s co-Senior Rabbis in a historic decision marking the first time ever any congregation has named two women as Senior Rabbis.

The decision by Temple Shalom, a Reform congregation, was the result of a months-long engagement process with congregants about the direction of the Temple’s leadership.

This innovative structure, originally suggested by the two Rabbis themselves, reflects a new era for the nearly 70-year-old congregation. The model traditionally has been a lone Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Berry joined Temple Shalom in 2011 and Rabbi Abrasley in 2015. The two rabbis have served as interim leadership of the Temple since July 2017.

“We are overjoyed that we can now move from an interim period into one of stable and committed leadership for the entire community,” says Scott Birnbaum, President of the Temple Board of Trustees. “There is no more important decision a congregation makes than the choice of its rabbinic leadership. We are pleased that so much of our congregation supports this historic decision, as well.”

“I am honored for the opportunity to lead Temple Shalom into the future with my fabulous friend and colleague Rabbi Allison Berry,” says Rabbi Abrasley. “Our collaborative co-rabbinate is an innovative leadership decision for the congregation and the larger Jewish community. It speaks volumes about the possibilities for real, creative innovation and change within established Jewish institutions. Not to mention, I love working with Allison. The blessing of laughter, trust and real partnership at work is a blessing.”

Rabbi Berry also comments, “I know both Rabbi Abrasley and I feel extraordinarily honored and blessed to serve the Temple Shalom community. This congregation understands that diversity is a strength. We work hard to welcome and include all those seeking a meaningful connection to Jewish life. What better way to express the cherished values of Temple Shalom than through the development of a clergy model that places the ideal of Hevruta (Jewish learning as part of a committed partnership) learning, inclusion, and collaboration at the center. I’m honored to work with such a trusted Hevruta and partner as we care for and grow this sacred, committed community.”

In a video in which Rabbis Abrasley and Berry offer their insights about the co-Senior Rabbis model, Rabbi Berry says, “I cannot wait to see where we grow and where the community grows as a result of what we hope will be the model that we create in partnership. Really, what could be better than that in modeling a world that we want to see?”

Referring to the previous model, Rabbi Abrasley adds, “Just because we’ve always done it this way doesn’t mean we should continue doing it this way.” Rabbi Abrasley says she thought that, together, the Senior Rabbis can determine “how can we be better? How can we good from good to great?”

Rabbi Berry joined the Temple Shalom community in 2011 as the Associate Rabbi and Director of the Grades K-6 SHACHARIT Education program. She graduated from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. with a bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies with a minor in Music. Upon graduation, Rabbi Berry worked as the Family Educator of Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill, Mass. and later attended Hebrew Union College-Jewish institute of Religion in New York. Ordained as a rabbi in 2007, Rabbi Berry has served congregations in Hickory, N.C., Leonia, N.J. and for three years was the rabbi and education director of Temple Beth David in Canton, Mass. Rabbi Berry and her husband, Mark, have two children, Micah and Zachary.

Rabbi Abrasley joined the Temple Shalom congregation as Assistant Rabbi three years ago. She grew up in Houston and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in psychology. Her path to becoming a rabbi began with many summers spent as a camper and then counselor at the URJ Greene Family Camp in Texas. After college, Rabbi Abrasley worked in education and technology sectors in Boston, most recently serving as Youth Educator at Temple Israel in Boston. She and her wife, Julie Childers, recently celebrated their 13-year wedding anniversary and have a 10-year old son.

The decision to name Rabbis Abrasley and Berry as co-Senior Rabbis comes at the end of an interim period lasting nearly one year. During that period, the congregation conducted a survey that drew nearly 400 responses, held a series of forums where more than 140 attendees participated and received more than 500 written comments on the direction of the Temple and its leadership. The results of that process informed the Board of Trustees’ unanimous decision to extend an offer to Rabbi Abrasley and Rabbi Berry, solidifying this innovative leadership model.

The co-Senior Rabbis will be officially installed on Nov. 16.

Temple Shalom of Newton, is a warm and inclusive community with approximately 750 members from throughout the Boston area who aspire to find meaning and fulfillment in the practice of Reform Judaism. The congregation was founded in 1950.

To view the video, visit https://bit.ly/2L6QqHp.