Alyth welcomes two newest members of clergy team

Alyth welcomed the two newest members of its clergy team with a special Erev Shabbat service on Friday 20 May.

Cantor Tamara Wolfson and Rabbi Elliott Karstadt, who joined the community in April and August 2020 respectively, were formally inducted in front of a community of 300 people, who enjoyed refreshments and singing on the synagogue forecourt before the service. 

Rabbi Josh Levy acknowledged that the formal welcome was long overdue but stated how important it was that the ceremony could take place with a large community of members together in person, as well as many others joining online.

Synagogue President, Jon Epstein, paid tribute to the contribution that Cantor Wolfson and Rabbi Karstadt had made despite starting their roles in the context of the pandemic.  The ceremony of induction ended with a priestly blessing recited on behalf of the community by the current Chair of Trustees, Justin Wise, and the co-Chairs under whom the two began their roles, Noeleen Cohen and Russell Baum.

Cantor Wolfson and Rabbi Karstadt complete a clergy team of three full time rabbis and one full time cantor, supported by a further part time rabbi.  Together they serve a community of 3500 members which has continued to grow in membership during the pandemic.