RUMSON — Congregation B’nai Israel of Rumson has announced that Rabbi Jeff Sultar has been chosen to lead the congregation for a three-year term. He has served as interim rabbi for 2011-12.
Francine Semaya, president of the synagogue, said in a press release that a search for a permanent rabbis was conducted and “during the process it became clear that Rabbi Sultar had all the qualities we were looking for. We are thrilled he decided to accept our offer to stay.”
She said Sultar will continue to lead services and lifecycle events and help people with their pastoral needs. He will expand his role by teaching in the religious school programs, which have included a weekly class with high school students and participating in Shabbat celebrations with preschoolers.
This year he will become more involved with the religious school and family events and will continue to teach adult education classes.
Prior to coming to New Jersey, Sultar served at congregations in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York and Connecticut.
In 1996, he became ordained as a rabbi after completing his studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Pennsylvania.
Congregation B’nai Israel is an egalitarian, conservative synagogue in Rumson. The synagogue will be celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, with a gala event scheduled for November.