Georgetown’s Synagogue Awaits New Rabbi

The search lasted almost three years, but Georgetown’s orthodox synagogue Kesher Israel now awaits the arrival this summer of the congregation’s newly chosen rabbi: Hyim Shafner.

“He seems to be a very sensitive, warm and caring individual,” Kesher President Elanit Jakabovics told the Washington Post. “Although the Kesher Synagogue is full of political operatives and think-tank employees who value thought-provoking sermons and classes, still the members come because they want to be spiritually inspired. The search committee realized it should focus on finding someone adept at building nurturing personal relationships and have warm pastoral skills,” Jakabovics remarked.

Shafner was the rabbi of a small orthodox community near St. Louis for 13 years; earlier he led the Hillel Jewish Center at Washington University in St. Louis. He currently has a private psychotherapy practice. Shafner is said to be interested in an Orthodox Judaism that engages with the wider world and participates in broad national conversations. The Kesher Synagogue would seem to be the perfect match.

Shafner is replacing former Rabbi Barry Freundel, who was arrested in 2014 for voyeurism: videotaping women in the shower room of a ritual bath. Freundel pleaded guilty to 52 counts, was fined $13,000 and is now serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence.