Temple Emanuel is ready to open the search for a new spiritual leader after announcing the departure of Senior Rabbi Justin Kerber early this week.

“Rabbi Kerber and the Board have asked me to share the news that tonight the Board reached an agreement with Rabbi Kerber that he would not seek renewal of his employment covenant, and the Board would grant the Rabbi a sabbatical for the balance of its term, until July of 2013,” said a letter from president Charles Lowenhaupt released Monday. “Although the specific details have yet to be worked out, we wanted to share this with you immediately.  Both the Rabbi and the Board are pleased with the arrangement knowing that it will be beneficial for all of us.”

Rabbi Emeritus Joseph Rosenbloom will deal with “day-to-day” rabbinic duties as the institution embarks on a transition. Rosenbloom, a longtime senior rabbi who has served at the congregation since 1961, previously took on an interim position as spiritual leader in 2008 with the departure of Rabbi Joshua Taub, who elected not to renew his contract. Lowenhaupt’s letter said that the board would consider the possibility of hiring an interim rabbi during the search.

Kerber assumed the senior rabbinic post from Rosenbloom at the temple in the summer of 2009. Ordained in 2007, Kerber’s first placement was as director of the Hillel at the University of Georgia. Since coming to St. Louis, he has led the West County congregation during a challenging time. In early 2008, there was even discussion of a merger with Temple Israel.

“Four years ago, there was a question as to whether the congregation would continue independently and we made a strong decision as a congregation that we would survive independently,” said Lowenhaupt in an interview with the Jewish Light. “We’ve done that and over the past four years Rabbi Kerber has been there for three.”

Since then, the temple has made major strides, he said, noting the rabbi was a part of that success.

“We’ve made great progress,” he said “Our endowment is up. We’ve balanced our budget. We’ve increased our membership. As part of his tenure, we’ve seen great progress.”

Lowenhaupt said Kerber’s sabbatical begins immediately, but the letter noted that he would complete any lifecycle events to which he was committed. He said a search committee would likely be formed but that no timelines have yet been set.

“The qualities we look for will really come out of the process,” he said. “Over our 60 years we’ve had three senior rabbis and each one has moved the congregation forward and moved it well. Rabbi Kerber is one of those. Certainly the next rabbi will bring us forward even further.”

The letter also noted Kerber’s contributions.

“We all recognize and appreciate the strengths Rabbi Kerber has brought to the Temple and the warm associations he has developed with many Temple members and in the broader community,” it said. “We also recognize that Temple Emanuel is a community, and our dedication to the Temple Community is paramount.  The decision, reached mutually between the Temple and the Rabbi, will allow the Temple to build further on our internal and historical strengths as a community recognizing his contributions and our own.”

Lowenhaupt said that Reform Judaism as a whole was looking at what the future may bring and Temple Emanuel was no different.

“The reason was that it made sense for him and for us. It makes sense for the congregation,” he said. “We’ve got a strong temple growing in a complex environment. Reform Judaism is facing challenges and all congregations within the Reform movement are facing these challenges.”

The Jewish Light reached the rabbi Tuesday afternoon via email.

“My family and I are grateful for the outpouring of support that we’ve received from our community,” Kerber said, noting he did not wish to comment further until the details of the sabbatical arrangement are worked out.