USCJ Conservative Yeshiva In Jerusalem Announces New Appointment

The United Synagogue has announced the appointment of Rabbi Richard Lewis as Rosh Yeshiva of the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Rabbi Lewis, who joins Rabbis Joel Roth and Pesach Schindler as the leaders of the Yeshiva, will take up his new position in July 2003. Rabbi Daniel Goldfarb continues as Director of the Yeshiva.

Rabbi Joel Roth, who has been associated with the Yeshiva since 2000, will shortly return to New York to resume his teaching responsibilities at the Jewish Theological Seminary. According to Rabbi James Lebeau, Director of the USCJ Fuchsberg Center in Jerusalem, Rabbi Roth will represent the Yeshiva in North America. In addition, he will continue to teach at the Yeshiva during periodic visits to Israel.

Rabbi Lewis made aliyah in 1979 and was ordained at Machon Schechter in Jerusalem in 1995, following years of study and teaching. He currently serves as a senior lecturer in Talmud and Halakhah at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies and formerly held the position of faculty advisor to The Center for Women in Jewish Law. Since 1992 he has held a fellowship and taught at the Shalom Hartman Institute. In addition, he has taught for the Masorti Movement in Israel and at Camp Yavneh, Northwood, NH, a division of Hebrew College, Brookline, MA. Rabbi Lewis is currently a doctoral student at the Hebrew University's Melton Centre for Jewish Education.

The new Rosh Yeshiva grew up in Worcester, MA, and graduated from the Maimonides School in Brookline, MA. He is a graduate of Columbia University. Long associated with the Conservative Movement, he and his late parents, Florence and Jean Lewis, were leaders in the New England Region of the United Synagogue.

Judy Yudof, International President of the United Synagogue, states: "We look forward to Rabbi Lewis's leadership of our Conservative Yeshiva. I am certain that he will continue to build on the outstanding legacy of Rabbi Joel Roth."

Rabbi Jerome Epstein, USCJ Executive Vice-President, notes that he has been very impressed "with the sensitivity displayed by Rabbi Lewis in dealing with students. He consistently treats them with affection and respect. That is a very important quality in a Rosh Yeshiva."