Rabbinic Weekend Schedule of Activities
Temple Beth El’s Rabbinic Search Committee invites you to meet Rabbi Michael Knopf, rabbinic candidate for the position of senior rabbi at TBE, when he and his wife Adira visit our synagogue from January 4–7, 2024. Below is a schedule of activities available to you.
We are asking you to submit one and only one form per family indicating which activities you will attend, so please coordinate your submission with your spouse/partner if applicable. In this way, we can properly set up and order the right amount of food. We encourage you to attend as many events as possible to gain a full picture of Rabbi Knopf, and he in turn can feel the vibrancy and warmth of our congregation.
Rabbi Knopf and his wife will also be involved in several other activities to fill out the weekend, including a tour of Stamford, visits to day schools, and dinners with TBE members in various demographic groups in our congregation.
After reviewing the schedule, please fill out and submit the form by clicking here. The submission deadline is December 31, 2023!
If you need assistance, contact the TBE office at (203) 322-6901, x301.
Note: For congregants who will be out of town for the weekend, we urge you to watch those activities, such as the community forum Q&A, that are available on livestream/Zoom (see below).
Friday, January 5
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Shabbat program for families with children ages 0-5 (siblings invited) in the rear of the social hall.
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
A congregational dinner in the social hall.
Welcome Rabbi Knopf and Adira to TBE.
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat service in the sanctuary.
The service will be planned by Rabbi Knopf and Cantor Kaplan and will include elements where we can see the rabbi on his own and in collaboration with the cantor. Rabbi Knopf will deliver a short d’var Torah.
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Oneg in the social hall.
Informal “get-to-know-you” with Rabbi Knopf and Adira.
Saturday, January 6
10 am – 12:00 pm
Shabbat morning service in the sanctuary.
Rabbi Knopf will lead the service, chant Torah, engage us in meaningful worship, and bring his personal style to the service. He will also deliver a sermon.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Kiddush lunch in the social hall.
After the service, socialize with the rabbi and Adira over a casual buffet lunch.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Community forum Q&A in the sanctuary.
Rabbi Knopf will provide a brief summary of his path to the rabbinate and answer questions on a variety of subjects. Questions will be collected ahead of time from the congregation to allow us to touch on as many topics as possible that are important to members. You can write your questions at the bottom of the form.
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Havdalah and wine & cheese reception in the social hall.
Separate from Shabbat and usher in the new week with Rabbi Knopf and Adira, followed by some time to schmooze.
Sunday, January 7
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Morning minyan in the chapel led by Rabbi Knopf.
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Breakfast & learn. (For adults only.)
Rabbi Knopf will lead an interactive study session on a topic of his choosing. The program is an opportunity to experience the rabbi’s teaching and discussion style, and to see how he can help us find ways to engage with and better understand Jewish texts.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Visit Kesher Beth El religious school.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Pizza with TBE teens (ages 13–18) in the social hall.
Virtual attendance
- Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat service and the community forum will be shown on livestream at tbe.org/tbe-live.
- The Shabbat morning service, Sunday minyan, and breakfast & learn can be accessed via Zoom. Sign-on information will be provided in Thursday’s Shabbat Announcements prior to the weekend.
Opportunities for feedback
A survey will be sent out to the congregation on Sunday, immediately following the end of Rabbi Knopf’s weekend visit. The Search Committee is depending on your feedback to help ensure your voices are heard in the selection of our next rabbi.
Questions
Feel free to reach out to the Search Committee at stamfordtberabbisearch@gmail.com.
