2007 02 17 Transition Letter 2

							                       The Temple of Universal Judaism
                       1010 Park Avenue at 85th St.
                       New York, NY 10028
                       (212) 535-0187      tujinfo@tuj.org    http://www.tuj.org/

Rabbi Roy A. Rosenberg, D.Div.*
Founding Rabbi, 1974-1997           February 20, 2007
Rabbi Charles D. Lippman, D.Div.*
1997-2000                           Dear TUJ community,
Rabbi Bruce Mark Cohen, D.H.L.
2002--2007                          As many of you may know, Rabbi Bruce Mark Cohen is no longer the rabbi at
Bonnie Fox                          TUJ. We have deliberated as a board for many months and decided that Rabbi
President                           Cohen is no longer the right rabbi for TUJ. This was a difficult decision to make,
Barbara Levy                        but we felt it was necessary for the future of TUJ.
Vice President

Eric Simons                         In our search for a new rabbi, we will look for someone with both congregational
Treasurer                           experience and strong development abilities. In addition, we want someone who
Ann Aviles                          will combine commitment to both social activism and spiritual leadership. Most
Secretary                           importantly, we are looking for someone who can bring TUJ together in this
Herbert Levy                        challenging time.
Past President

Members of the Board                We have a history of outreach to interfaith couples, as well as to the eclectic
 Jill Appel                         Reform Jewish community in our area. In keeping with that tradition, we want to
 James Broner
 Mimi Broner                        make every effort to find the right rabbi for us.
 Cindy Cohen
 Jeff Cohen
 Miriam Garron**                    Therefore, we are reaching out to all of you who truly care about the future of The
 Jim Gaynor                         Temple of Universal Judaism, and ask that you come to a town meeting on
 Stephanie Gelb
 Naomi Goodman*                     Friday March 16th at 7:15 PM. We will begin with a lay-led Shabbat service and
 David Herman                       then open it up to everyone for discussion. We want to get your ideas and feelings
 Helene Herman
 Matthew Jacobson                   about who you would want as a rabbi and what direction TUJ will take for the
 Eve Roshevsky                      future.
 Francesca Schwartz
 Kenneth Schwartz
                                    I understand that this has been a difficult and confusing time for all of us. That is
* Of Blessed Memory
                                    why a town meeting is essential. As President of the Congregation, it is my
** Honorary Lifetime Member         responsibility to do what is necessary for the greater good, but I need your help.

                                    I invite everyone to join us as we create an even stronger TUJ community as we
                                    move forward.

                                    Thank you.

                                    Sincerely,




                                    Bonnie Fox
                                    President
                                    Board of Trustees
                                    The Temple of Universal Judaism