Beth El Congregation in Baltimore is adding a new rabbi to its ranks. Per an announcement from late March, Rabbi Zevi Lowenberg is joining the Beth El community starting on a part-time basis in June and full-time in July.
Beth El President Rebecca Fruman said that the synagogue is ready for another spiritual and communal leader.
“It’s just such an exciting moment for Beth El. We are in the middle of our senior rabbi transition, and we still wanted to add to our already strong and dynamic clergy team, so we decided to start a search for a third rabbi,” she said.
Lowenberg will depart his current role as senior Jewish chaplain assigned to the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County. Working in the military community has given Lowenberg a unique set of skills that stood out to the Beth El search committee.
“We had different rabbis come and visit us through the process. And with Rabbi Lowenberg, he really stood out because of his background as a military chaplain. His leadership, his character, his commitment to service, really stood out to the committee,” Fruman said. “I would also say that through the process, we really could see him having the ability to support our congregants through meaningful times of joy and sorrow, and challenging moments as well.”
Beth El is a large synagogue that is deeply ingrained in the Baltimore community, and having three rabbis offers members the chance to get more individual attention and also hear from various voices and perspectives. Fruman said that they anticipate that adding a young rabbi like Lowenberg will benefit younger congregants, too.
“I definitely feel like it’s a moment of growth, and being able to have different rabbis that our congregants can turn to is going to be huge. I also think that we have different generations of members, so it’s really great that we can build strong clergy relationships with all three of our rabbis,” she said.
For Rabbi Dana Saroken, it felt like a natural addition. She said in the press release that Lowenberg’s visit felt “meant to be.”
“For me, that wasn’t because of his family’s history here … it was something else entirely: It was his easy-going style, his comfort with people, his fun responses to all of my texts, the quick conversations that we had while managing the logistics of his visits, and the way I found myself smiling when I saw his name on my screen.
Fruman said that Lowenberg has a number of familial connections to the shul, and that being raised in the Baltimore Jewish community and attending Krieger Schechter Day School for part of his schooling make him a natural fit for Beth El.
“We know that he knows our community … he just brought this excitement to the search process. He’s already brought in excitement and kind of a buzz to our community. A lot of people have different connections or mutual friends, so I think that just added to the excitement of him joining us,” Fruman said.
Rabbi Steven Schwartz said that, ultimately, who Lowenberg is as a person and what he stands for is what makes him the best candidate for the job.
“Rabbi Lowenberg embodies the values that have defined Beth El for generations — compassion, integrity, and a deep love of Jewish life and learning. His character and life experiences reflect the very best of our tradition, and I am confident he will help carry forward the legacy of our congregation with strength and heart,” Schwartz said.
Saroken, who is taking over as senior rabbi, has been at Beth El for nearly 20 years. Schwartz will continue to serve with the clergy as he departs the senior rabbi position, a role he has held since 2008.
Fruman is excited for the Beth El community to grow alongside Saroken and Lowenberg.
“I think they’re going to be unbelievable partners moving forward,” she said.
