September 8, 2022

Dear TBE Congregant:

As you now know from his letter to the congregation sent out a short while ago, Rabbi Hammerman has informed the TBE Board of Trustees of his decision to step down from his position as Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth El, effective July 1, 2024, and assume the position of Rabbi Emeritus.  The Rabbi and the Board have entered into a contract to that effect.

Rabbi Hammerman has been a spiritual leader and teacher for many of us for most (or all) of our lives, so I know this announcement is a lot to absorb.  He has presided over many of our families’ multiple lifecycle events — brit milah and baby namings, the b’nai mitzvah of our children, marriages and funerals.  He has counseled us individually in times of need and has led us through tumultuous and joyous times.  He has challenged us to think and reflect on our responsibilities as Jews in an ever-changing world through his sermons and writings.  No single letter can convey the essential role Rabbi Hammerman has played in our lives and in the life of our synagogue.

We are so lucky that, 35 years ago, the rising star who came out of the Jewish Theological Seminary decided to set down roots in Stamford as TBE’s Assistant Rabbi.  Intellectual, innovative and at the forefront of Jewish learning and thinking, Rabbi Hammerman quickly injected his own brand of rabbinic leadership to a welcoming congregation.  Five years later, in 1992, having been appointed TBE’s Senior Rabbi, that same leadership continued, leading us to become the great synagogue and community we are today.

I think we can all agree that we have been privileged to have had Rabbi Hammerman serve as our Rabbi for so long — and to know that we will have the opportunity to learn, pray and grow with him for yet another two years.  During this period, we also plan to celebrate the Rabbi and all that he has brought to TBE.  If you are interested in serving on a committee that will help plan and orchestrate these events, please let me know.

Of course, I’m sure you are also asking, “What happens next?”  Shortly after the High Holidays, I will share the plans the Board of Trustees has for moving forward and, equally important, for involving you in the decisions we need to make.

Please join me helping make the next two years truly exciting ones – both for our synagogue and for Rabbi Hammerman.  I look forward to greeting all of you at High Holiday services this year.

B’Shalom,

Scott J. Krowitz

Scott Krowitz

President, Temple Beth El Board of Trustees