Searching for a shul within walking distance of my new home in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood, I tried the Temple of Aaron and found it not to my liking. Let’s be honest — as an aging Conservative synagogue, it seemed to be dying. A year later, my grown daughter suggested I try the shul again; they had since hired a new rabbi right out of JTS. My daughter knew Rabbi Fine from Camp Ramah. In just a year, Rabbi Fine has changed the entire culture of the shul. It is now lively, welcoming, warm and meaningful. Rabbi Fine will use anything that is legal, moral and Jewish to attract new, young congregants: sports, parties, creative education, even mention of God and Halachah. He has doubled the size of the Shabbat morning minyan. And he is just getting started.

— Bill Gavzy and two others

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount