Temple Anshe Amunim Names New Rabbi
 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch has been named the permanent spiritual leader of Temple Anshe Amunim, a congregation serving the Reform Jewish community of Pittsfield, effective July 1.
Rabbi Hirsch has served the congregation in an interim role for the last two years supporting their period of transition.
"In the last two years, Rabbi Hirsch has become a beloved member of our congregational community. In good times and bad, particularly during this pandemic, she has provided our members with wisdom, stability, inspiration and forward thinking," said Joshua M. Cutler, president of Temple Anshe Amunim's Board of Trustees for the last two years. "As we continue to celebrate our 150th anniversary this year, we are delighted that Rabbi Hirsch will lead us for many years to come as we enter our next 150 years as a temple."
In her time with the congregation, Hirsch has overseen numerous aesthetic and safety upgrades to the synagogue's building, grown the congregation's popular Saturday morning Torah Study sessions, and has developed programming for the congregation and the community which incorporates music, physical and outdoor activities, yoga and meditation, and experiential connections to Judaism.
Hirsch has also served as the director of the congregation's religious and adult education programs, guiding students of all ages.
During this unprecedented period of social distancing, Hirsch has seamlessly been able to pivot the congregation from sanctuary-based worship and programming to virtual Zoom offerings, which has allowed the congregation to continue to be meaningfully enriched, and has allowed for greater connections to the larger community beyond the Berkshires.
"It is my sacred honor to serve Temple Anshe Amunim, an historic congregation with a bright and innovative future," Hirsch said. "I am eager to continue to partner with our lay leadership and to represent our synagogue in the broader community."
Hirsch, a New England native and a graduate of Brown University, was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. While in rabbinical school, she was honored as a Wexner Graduate Fellow and Tisch Fellow. Prior to her time at Anshe Amunim, she served as the rabbi and one of the directors of Camp Eisner in Great Barrington.
In the greater community, Hirsch has been active in Jewish and community organizations, provided invocations and benedictions for numerous community gatherings, and has taught at Berkshire Community College's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Rabbi Hirsch lives in Great Barrington with her husband, Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch, who serves at Hevreh Of Southern Berkshire, and their son, Lior.
A formal installation ceremony for Rabbi Hirsch will be held at a date to be announced.
