Congregation Shaare Emeth has announced a leadership transition that both honors its storied past and charts a clear course for the future: Rabbi Andrea Goldstein will become the congregation’s next senior rabbi, succeeding Rabbi Jim Bennett upon his retirement at the end of 2027.

The appointment is both historic and deeply personal for Goldstein, whose connection to Shaare Emeth began decades ago. In 1983, as a young teenager celebrating her bat mitzvah on the congregation’s bimah, she received an unexpected suggestion from then–Senior Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman: consider becoming a rabbi. She did just that.

Ordained in 1998, Goldstein returned to Shaare Emeth immediately after seminary to serve as assistant rabbi. For the past 28 years, she has been one of the congregation’s central religious and spiritual leaders. Now, she will prepare to assume its top clergy role.

Bennett, who has led Shaare Emeth as senior rabbi since 2003, informed congregational leadership that he will retire at the completion of his current contract and transition to the role of Rabbi Emeritus on Jan. 1, 2028. His retirement is part of the synagogue’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2028 and marks the culmination of more than four decades of service to the congregation. Before becoming senior rabbi, Bennett served as assistant rabbi from 1984 to 1993 under Stiffman.

“In anticipation of this transition, congregational leadership approached Rabbi Goldstein to gauge her interest in becoming our next senior rabbi,” said Dana DeBlasi, president of Shaare Emeth. “To our great delight, Rabbi Goldstein shared that she would be honored to serve Shaare Emeth in this capacity.”

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Goldstein will assume the title of “successor senior rabbi” on July 1, working closely with Bennett during the transition period. She will officially become senior rabbi on Jan. 1, 2028.

In a message to congregants, Goldstein expressed both humility and enthusiasm.

“My heart is filled with gratitude and excitement at being named Shaare Emeth’s successor senior rabbi,” Goldstein wrote. “I am thankful for all my colleagues – most especially Rabbi Jeff Stiffman who brought me to Shaare Emeth and modeled for me a rabbinate shaped by deep kindness and authentic connection, and Rabbi Jim Bennett, whose mentorship, friendship and partnership mean more to me than I can ever adequately express.”

Bennett, too, reflected on his tenure with deep emotion.

“When I arrived at Congregation Shaare Emeth in June of 1984 as a newly ordained rabbi, I gave no thought to the possibility that 42 years later I would be approaching my retirement as senior rabbi of this magnificent congregation,” he wrote to the community. “I am excited that our congregation’s leadership has invited Rabbi Andrea Goldstein to serve as the next senior rabbi of Congregation Shaare Emeth. I have loved working with her every day for the past 22 years, and I am honored and proud that she will lead the congregation into the future.”

He added that he looks forward to the next two years of shared celebration and reflection. “I am profoundly grateful to all of you—my fellow clergy and staff members, the countless volunteers that make Shaare Emeth remarkable, and each of you who makes this congregation special and great. I look forward to the many opportunities ahead for us to celebrate together, honor this exciting time of transition and change, and ensure that our beloved congregation thrives, flourishes, and helps shape a better future for all of us and for our world.”

For Goldstein, the moment is as much about relationships as it is about leadership.

“For 28 years, you have embraced me and my family. You have invited me into your homes to share in the most joyous celebrations and the most painful times of loss. We have learned together, laughed together, and worked together to bring healing to our pained and broken world.”

Looking ahead, she framed the transition within a broader spiritual and communal context.

“We are living during uncertain and fearful times, and now more than ever, Shaare Emeth has a vital role to play in the lives of its members and in the broader community. As we look ahead, I am excited to deepen our work together by strengthening our relationships, supporting one another through life’s joys and challenges, and shaping a future filled with meaning and hope.”

Congregational leaders emphasized that the transition will be deliberate and transparent. Over the next two years, clergy, staff and lay leadership will collaborate to ensure continuity and stability. The clergy team will also see another change: Associate Rabbi Rachel K. Bearman will conclude her service effective June 30. A celebration in her honor is planned for Friday, May 15.

The leadership shift places Goldstein in a distinguished lineage of senior rabbis dating back to 1869, including Solomon H. Sonneschein, Samuel Sale, Louis Witt, Julius Gordon, Burton Levinson, Julius J. Nodel, Stiffman and Bennett.