the new rabbi connected with the con-
gregation during his winter visit as part
of the interview process.

Members submitted questions for a
series of town meetings, and the rabbi’s
answers were “on point,” Sauer said.

During those same answers, he elabo-
rated on potential aspects of his vision.

That vision part, according to
Englander, is the key difference
between his new role and his previous
one. In Florida, the rabbi contributes
ideas that could shape the direction of
his synagogue. But in New Jersey, he
will have the final say on the direction,
although he is quick to say that he can’t
make those decisions alone.

“The success of a
rabbi in any size
congregation is
connected to
relationships. Making sure people
can rely on you for
a listening ear.”
RABBI DAVID ENGLANDER
Englander intends to lean on Beth
El’s existing educators, professional
staff members and volunteers to help
run the synagogue’s programs. The
congregation offers education options
for people of all ages, and its Early
Childhood Center welcomes more
than 100 students per year.

The new rabbi does not want to fix
something that works.

“They educate from infants until
our most seasoned members,” he said.

“They have a terrific religious school.”
But there are some new directions
in which Englander will have to take
the lead.

New rabbis in the COVID era are
asking themselves an existential ques-
tion. What is a synagogue in a world
with both physical and virtual dimen-
sions? Englander has a philosophical
answer, which can become a founda-
tion for a practical answer. He believes
the Jewish community functions best
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