In a relatively short time at our shul, Rabbi Shapiro has created a sea change in our congregational learning. Every Shabbat our service is preceded by a superb new “Bread and Torah” session in which the rabbi discusses aspects of the weekly Torah portion. This session now always has 40 to 60 people meeting in our library with accompanying bagels and coffee. It is always a source of learning and active discussion and is a wonderful way to begin Shabbat morning. Her sermons are extraordinary. I never cease to learn from each one. Her additional classes during the week are inspiring. In short, she has changed the intellectual demeanor and profile of our shul. She has also done much to improve the community nature and attendance at B’nai Jacob. She instituted a “Shabbat Schmooze” with wine and cheese a half an hour before the start of Kabbalat Shabbat services. She initiated a “Got Shabbat” program to encourage congregants to have others to their homes for Shabbat dinner. Rabbi Shapiro has done much to create a superb shul ambience filled with warmth, knowledge and caring that has resulted in, or rekindled, newfound interest in Judaism, Jewishness and Jewish learning. She has transformed our shul.

— Barry Zaret

+ 12 other nominations

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