December 30, 2025
CLICK HERE for with a quick update from the Senior Rabbi Search Committee.
December 1, 2025
Dear CMO Congregants,
As we continue our search for the next Senior Rabbi of Congregation Mishkan Or, we wanted to share more about the thoughtful, deliberate and comprehensive interview process guiding our work.
Much like a “rolling admissions” model used in college admissions, rabbinic candidates apply and move through our process on an ongoing basis rather than at a single fixed deadline. We are working closely with our advisors at the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) to ensure that our approach is both rigorous and in line with best practices.
We posted our application in August and are pleased with the strong feedback we are receiving both in the quality of the applicants themselves and the compelling profile our congregation projects. Candidates have been applying via the online portal run by CCAR since the day after our application posted. Our goal is to evaluate every candidate with fairness, consistency and depth so that we ultimately welcome a leader who embodies our shared values and vision.
The first step in our evaluation process is a brief virtual meeting between the candidate and the co-chairs, Debra Mayers Hollander and Eric Silver. This informal introduction helps establish rapport, set expectations and address any early questions.
The second step is a virtual meeting that includes the candidate, co-chairs and four rotating members of our search committee. This conversation delves more deeply into the candidate’s qualifications, experience and alignment with our congregation’s needs. By using rotating members, we ensure diverse perspectives, while the co-chairs maintain a consistent approach across all interviews.
Each of these candidate interviews are recorded and shared with the full committee so that we may decide as a whole to advance candidates to the next step(s). The third step is a full committee virtual interview which brings together the entire search committee to explore the candidate’s leadership style, strategic vision and cultural fit within Mishkan Or. This stage ensures that all voices are heard and that the committee develops consensus through shared insight.
All these virtual interviews lead up to an onsite visit for finalists, which we anticipate will happen early next year. These in-person experiences allow candidates to get a real feel for our community—meeting key leaders, staff and clergy, learning about our culture and engaging in meaningful dialogue. It also gives us an opportunity to observe how they interact in our environment and to assess readiness for a long-term partnership.
As you can tell, we have been busy! We are grateful for your trust, patience and engagement as we carry out this important work. This process is intentionally thorough, reflecting both the significance of this moment and our deep commitment to the future of Congregation Mishkan Or. We look forward to sharing further updates as the search progresses.
As always, we welcome your thoughts at rabbisearch@mishkanor.org and look forward to sharing more updates soon.
B’shalom,
Debra Mayers Hollander and Eric Silver
Co-Chairs, Senior Rabbinic Search Committee
SURVEY –
Share your thoughts with the committee! Click here to complete a brief survey online, or stop by the front desk to complete a paper copy.
RABBINIC SEARCH UPDATE –
October 24, 2025 – Our Co-chairs hosted a Sparks of Light pre-Shabbat gathering to meet and converse with Mishkan Or members about the Rabbinic Search process.
October 5, 2025 – Madrichim from our Sunday Limmud program joined Search Committee members for a lunchtime discussion. This younger group was excited to participate in the process and shared many valuable insights into how they might connect best with our next senior rabbi
September 14, 2025 – Search Committee members staffed a table during drop off and pick times for Sunday Limmud. Limmud parents were able to ask questions about the Senior Rabbinic Search and share their thoughts on the qualities they hoped the right candidate would possess.
September 13, 2025 – Search Committee members joined young families at Tot Shabbat. Following the lively service, parents were able to join a brief chat about the search process
September 12, 2025 – Mishkan Or Co-Presidents announce Rabbi Andi Berlin as Interim Senior Rabbi. Click here for more details
September 2025 – Search Committee members facilitated conversations and answered questions about the search process at the homes of 3 additional member families.
August 11, 2025 – Search Committee members joined the August meeting of Women of Mishkan Or, where a number of participants discussed what they believed would make a new senior rabbi successful in leading our community.
August 10, 2025 – Committee Members staffed a table at the Garden Party. Congregants and staff members stopped by for informal conversation about the Senior Rabbinic Search.
August 2025 – Search Committee members led group discussions at the homes of 3 member families. These intimate living room conversations were a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from our fellow congregants about their hopes and concerns about finding our next senior rabbi.
July 28, 2025 – The Search Committee Co-Chairs met with Executive Director Julianna Johnston Senturia and Department Directors to hear feedback and concerns regarding the Search Process and their vision for the ideal skillset for the next Senior Rabbi.
July 21, 2025 – The Search Committee hosted its second listening session with the congregation where congregants were able to ask questions about the search process and share their thoughts for what the next Senior Rabbi could bring to our congregation.
July 2, 2025 – Search Committee members joined the Ritual and Worship Committee to solicit feedback and engage in thoughtful discussion and were informed by their experience partnering with our clergy team over the past year.
June 9, 2025 – Mishkan Or Co-Presidents shared an update on the Senior Rabbi search status at the Congregation Mishkan Or Annual Meeting.
June 8, 2025 – Rabbinic Search Co-Chairs presented search status and strategy to The Emeritus Council.
May 25, 2025 – Senior Rabbi Search Status FAQs, click here.
May 23, 2025 – On Friday, May 23, the Search Committee hosted its first listening session with the congregation at the Sparks of Light event preceding Shabbat services. Committee members joined more than 50 congregants for round table conversations that were insightful and energizing. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from our fellow congregants and learn what they’re thinking about as we embark on this important rabbinic search process.
May 8, 2025 – Click Here for Update on our Senior Rabbinic Search
April 3, 2025 – As announced in December, Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk shared his plan to retire from the congregational rabbinate during 2026. A recent Stage IV cancer survivor, he is hopeful in retirement to more fully embrace his “bonus time.” We’re so grateful for his leadership and ongoing commitment!
Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, the inaugural Senior Rabbi for Congregation Mishkan Or, will retire from the congregational rabbinate on January 1, 2026. A recent Stage IV cancer survivor, he is hopeful in retirement to more fully embrace his “bonus time.” We’re so grateful for his leadership and ongoing commitment!
We have assembled a Senior Rabbinic Search committee comprised of members who represent the wonderful breadth and depth of our congregation. Please check back for frequent updates on this committee’s important work.
As we plan for the future and our next Senior Rabbi’s leadership, we are pleased to share the Senior Rabbinic Search Committee has been selected and is as follows:
Liza Adams
Linda Barnett
Ben Becker
Robert Blumstein
Jon Eisenberg
Ken Hochman
Debra Mayers Hollander (co-chair)
Keith Kerman
Shelley Milin Marcus
Kevin Margolis
Lev McFarland
Amy Nadler
Eric Silver (co-chair)
Cynthia Tancer
Margot Tomer
Brian Young
These congregational members represent the wonderful breadth and depth of our congregation. Their dedication to our congregation, our community, the Reform Jewish movement and Judaism is steadfast, and they are excited to begin the important work of identifying the next senior leader of Congregation Mishkan Or and its clergy team.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our community.