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Golf Manor Synagogue

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The Golf Manor Synagogue also known as Congregation Agudas Israel is an orthodox Jewish synagogue located in Golf Manor, Ohio. The synagogue is affiliated with the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America and its membership is close to 200 families.[1] The synagogue is led by Rabbi Hanan Balk. Rabbi Stuart Lavenda is Assistant Rabbi. The building is constructed as an inverted ark, from the Old Testament story of Noah and the flood, with stained glass and colorful tapestries depicting Mount Sinai and the Holy Ark that carried the Ten Commandment tablets. It is believed to be the oldest Orthodox congregation in the Cincinnati area.[2]

History

The synagogue was founded in 1902 as the B'nai Israel Congregation. In 1933, the congregations of Anshei Shalom and Bnai Jacob congregations merged to form Congregation Agudas Israel Beth Hakneseth. The name was later shortened to Agudas Israel.

Rabbi David I. Indich; A rabbi who led the congregation to greatness

In 1952, the congregation would hire a rabbi who led the congregation to greatness--Rabbi David I. Indich. As the Jewish population moved from Avondale to the Roselawn/Golf Manor area, the synagogue considered the move. Rabbi Indich led the expanding congregation's High Holiday services in the Golf Manor Civic Hall in 1955 and in 1956 a committee was formed to oversee the new relocation to Golf Manor. Groundbreaking was held that year, followed by the first services in temporary quarters in 1957. It would take ten years for the current beautiful synagogue structure to be completed. During this time, Rabbi Indich's warmth and passion led to a membership of close to 300 families. Most of the families were raised in a traditional environs but were not necessarily fully observant. Rabbi Indich's regard for his congregants and his vibrant personality was greatly responsible for being able to hold on to such individuals, many of whose children would leave orthodoxy. At the time, the shul was firmly established as the major orthodox congregation in Cincinnati as well as a leading orthodox congregation in the midwest.[3]

2011 Controversy; Board[4] versus Rabbi Hanan Balk

Congregational Letter

In February 20, 2011, the congregation began receiving letters via supporters of Rabbi Hanan Balk stating the board had fired him as the spiritual leader of the congregation when they had no constitutional authority to take such action. The letter rejects the actions of the Board, because it does not accurately reflect the desire of the congregation on the basis that the Rabbi has served the congregation with "great integrity, devotion, and distinction for the past 23 years." The letter further urges that Board members be REPLACED that are more FAVORABLE to the Rabbi and that a formal congregational vote to take place on the status of the Rabbi per the constitution. The letter finally states that such a meeting is actually not necessary, because wisdom would dictate that this will lead to unnecessary publicity and disgrace to the Congregation, the members of the Boards and its Chair. The letter also allows for a supporting member to resign if the Rabbi is not actually voted to remain as the congregational Rabbi.[5]

As it states in the constitution, "The Executive Board shall NOT have the authority to purchase or sell real property, hire or fire paid employees of the congregation, though they can recommend such action. The final authority in those matters lies solely with the congregation, or whatever committees or boards they desire to invest such authority." [6]

Board Response

On February 24, 2011, the Golf Manor Synagogue Board responded to the "congregational letter" requesting a formal vote to decide Rabbi Hanan Balk's status as congregational Rabbi. In 2006, Howard Mayers (Board Chairman) met privately with the Rabbi to discuss received complaints and grievances from the congregation and ways to improve.[7]

In January 2009, a committee was formed of Board and non-Board members to evaluate the long-term future of the synagogue, which resulted in a recommendation to replace the Rabbi. This recommendation was reviewed by the Board in May 2009. Rabbi Balk was made aware of the report to explore options for an amicable separation.[8]

In November 2009, the Board reaffirmed its position on separation package that was "generous in both time frame and compensation," which was rejected by Rabbi Hanan Balk citing the Synagogue constitution. A letter was then drafted to convene a congregational vote for March 7, 2010, which at the time the Rabbi expressed "his belief to the Board members that the outcome would be to retain him".[9]

On February 9, 2010, "Rabbi Balk contacted Board Members requesting a meeting to discuss a different method to evaluate his performance and avoid the planned Congregational vote."[10]

Discussions led to a legal agreement that was signed by the Board Chairman and the Rabbi on May 20, 2010 that would essentially provide flexibility in the time frame of separation, receive 3 years of full salary after separation, and would accept the decision of the Board in lieu of a congregational vote as provided by the constitution. On January 11, 2011, the Board reaffirmed its position not to retain Rabbi Balk and reviewed the outcome with the Rabbi.[11]

A month later, the Rabbi requested in a proposal to have the severance agreement begin July 1, 2011, confer the title of Rabbi Emeritus, maintain presence on the bima, and other modest salary requirements of certain functions. While some of the proposal was considered by the Board, it was not adopted in full. Other considerations were made by the Board.[12]

Subsequent to this meeting, the Rabbi -as outlined in the letter being circulated by supporters of Rabbi Balk above- effectively rejected the signed legal agreement with the Board Chairman and all other proposals in discussion, which the Board and Rabbi Balk agreed to keep the terms confidential[13]

While it was the intention of the Board to allow the Rabbi to have time to make plans, extend financial security, and maintain professional dignity, the Board has moved as it planned to do in March 2010 to a congregational vote in lieu of Rabbi Hanan's dispute of the validity of the legal agreement.[14]

A congregational vote -disputed by Rabbi Balk for its exclusion of absentee ballot and proxy voting- has been set to convene on March 10 and 16 of 2011.

References

  1. ^ About Us - Golf Manor Synagogue | Cincinnati, Ohio
  2. ^ Faith as a way of life, The Cincinnati Enquirer (Ohio), 2005-12-10 (not available on internet)
  3. ^ Our History - Golf Manor Synagogue
  4. ^ http://www.golfmanorsynagogue.org/home/About/Staff/index.html
  5. ^ Letter to the Board, 2011-02-20 [1]
  6. ^ Golf Manor Synagogue Constitution, 1971 [2]
  7. ^ Golf Manor Synagogue Board Letter, 2011-02-24 [3]
  8. ^ Ibid.
  9. ^ Ibid.
  10. ^ Ibid.
  11. ^ Ibid.
  12. ^ Ibid.
  13. ^ Ibid.
  14. ^ Ibid.


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