Rabbi Deborah led Shabbat services where we bid farewell to Rabbi Alan Henkin on May 6th as he moves to New York City, a bit closer to his hometown of Chicago, to begin his new position with the Central Conference of
American Rabbis. This organization, founded in 1889, is to promote excellence in rabbinic leadership for the Reform Movement. ccarnet.org
Rabbi Henkin was one of TBS’ most popular rabbis, working with the congregation from 1980-1990 during a busy decade of growth. He learned sign language and within a short time was able to sign for himself, without the need of an interpreter, which endeared him to the congregation.
He was ordained by Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and holds a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the School of Religion at the University of Southern California.
He left TBS, in 1990 to take a pulpit in Lancaster with Congregation Beth Knesset Bamidbar, later, in 2000, moving up to Director of the Pacific Southwest Council of the Union for Reform Judaism. He has always remained a wonderful ambassador for TBS in the greater community, which is why he was awarded with an Honorary TBS membership.
He has taught Modern Jewish Thought, Bible and Rabbinic Literature, Rabbinic Practice, and the Rabbi in the Hospital at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles Campus.
Rabbis Henkin and Goldmann with baby Miriam
We will miss him terribly, but wish him the very best in his new endeavor in New York. We will keep a front row seat warm for you whenever you are in Los Angeles.
Source: Congregation News, Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf
