Beth Shalom Congregation in Columbia Installs Rabbi Jenni Greenspan

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After nearly a year of working at Beth Shalom Congregation in Columbia, Rabbi Jenni Greenspan was formally installed as its rabbi on Sunday, May 21.

(Courtesy)

She started work at the synagogue in July 2022, when she moved to the Baltimore area with her husband, Brad.

“I was really moved by the number of people who came to support me [at the installation],” Greenspan said. “It was a reminder to me of the privilege I have to serve the community, and the weight of the role. I hope it’s the beginning of a long spiritual journey between Beth Shalom and myself.”

A year may seem like a long time to wait to be installed, but the amount of time was intentional. Susan Kuning, Beth Shalom’s executive vice president, explained that she wanted to build anticipation and familiarity between Greenspan and the congregants in advance.

“You may be wondering, ‘Why wait so long?’” Kuning said. “We wanted the installation to be a fundraiser. I thought it would be very helpful if we gave everybody in the congregation a chance to fall in love with her, because they would be much more excited about putting messages and ads in the event program.”

Kuning and Second Vice President Lisa Hemmendinger are the installation’s leader sponsors, as well as the event planners. Kuning describes herself as one of Beth Shalom’s core volunteers and said that she has been involved in organizing synagogue fundraisers for years.

Organizing an installation for a new rabbi was a rare opportunity, though. The previous rabbi, Rabbi Susan Grossman, filled the position at Beth Shalom for 25 years. Kuning noted that while Grossman was beloved and respected by the community, she is excited for the new energy that Greenspan has brought to the congregation.

“When I first interviewed her, I really liked how she answered our questions,” she recalled. “She relates to people really well because she’s down-to-earth and real and very open.”

Grossman also showed her support for the new rabbi at her installation.

“As a member of the first generation of Conservative female rabbis, it’s particularly moving for me to be succeeded by a member of the next generation of female rabbis,” she said.

Greenspan’s journey to becoming a rabbi was an interesting one. Raised secularly by a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father, she first discovered her interest in religious studies when she attended a relative’s bat mitzvah as a child. She started attending Hebrew school and spending summers at the conservative Camp Ramah in California shortly after, leading to her father converting to Judaism so he could stand on the bimah at their local congregation.

“She’s a great scholar, and we all enjoy listening to her services,” Board President Eric Gorny said at the installation. “When I listen to other people talk about Rabbi Greenspan, they say she is very nice to talk with, pleasant, down-to-earth and easygoing. And this is what Beth Shalom is all about, and that’s what makes us welcoming and inclusive.”

The installation functioned as a congregation fundraiser as well as a traditional ceremony, with charitable donations made toward the synagogue’s operating funds and future programming. Kuning noted that the installation brought in more money than they expected before the event had even occurred.

In addition, the installation included remarks by Del. Terri Hill and County Executive Calvin Ball, who was unable to attend the event but had written a speech to be read by Jen Sager. Sager presented Greenspan with a certificate on his behalf to celebrate her installation.

“Howard County is fortunate to have devoted spiritual advisers available to uplift our community with the teachings of God,” Ball wrote.

The main speech at the installation was given by Rabbi Jonathan Bernhard, Greenspan’s mentor and an independent rabbi. He spoke of her potential for growth and what truly makes a rabbi.

“Respect the person she is, and that will help nurture her passion,” he said. “And in doing so, what you will find is that … she is growing, and she has the potential to grow. If you think she’s good now, just wait.”

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