Rabbi Megan Brumer will be installed at Temple Beth-El during a Camp Shabbat Installation Weekend on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6. The entire community is welcome to join this meaningful and fun-filled celebration.
“Rabbi Megan has been such a wonderful addition to Temple Beth-El’s clergy team,” said Senior Rabbi A. Brian Stoller. “Given her extensive experience in the summer camp arena, it’s fitting to mark her installation with a camp-style ceremony. Her enthusiasm for education and her fresh ideas for religious education will invigorate our youth programs well into the future.”
For Erev Shabbat on Friday, dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the musical camp-style service will follow at 7 p.m. Attendees will move to the beat and sing along with Rabbi Megan’s childhood song leader Chava Mirel and camp director and mentor David Berkman. The evening will conclude with a festive oneg offering sweet treats.
Saturday’s Campfire Havdalah will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Temple Beth-El Brotherhood will sponsor a complimentary barbecue and participants will experience the warmth of summer camp as a community while eating dinner and making s’mores around the campfire with Rabbi Megan and Chava Mirel.
“I am excited to ritualize the start of my time here at Temple Beth-El and for it to be official,” said Rabbi Megan. “I am also excited for the opportunities ahead, including the creation of our new religious school.”
Rabbi Megan moved across the country to become Temple Beth-El’s assistant rabbi on July 1. Growing up, she loved attending Friday night services at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue, Washington, and watching song leader Chava Mirel play guitar and lead prayer. She was a huge role model for Rabbi Megan, who wanted to be just like her.
“It’s been such an honor to get to witness Rabbi Megan’s many achievements! I have been blessed to know her throughout her entire life, from a young student to a youth leader with maturity beyond her years, and now as an accomplished rabbi and leader in the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Megan’s childhood song leader Chava Mirel. “I’m so looking forward to celebrating Rabbi Megan’s installation at Temple Beth El of Great Neck. The community is so lucky to have her!”
The spiritual leader’s connection to summer camp developed when she began attending her synagogue’s Jewish overnight camp in third grade.
Rabbi Megan’s connection to Jewish summer camp was strengthened even further when her family volunteered time and energy to help develop URJ Camp Kalsman in Bellevue.
Since its opening in 2007, she attended every summer—first as a camper, then as a counselor in training and eventually as staff, holding positions as music specialist, unit head and director of Jewish education.
“I met Megan 18 years ago when she was a first-time camper!” noted camp director and mentor David Berkman. “I’m thrilled for Megan and Temple Beth-El. It is truly amazing to have been witness to her journey. I can’t wait to help celebrate!”
Rabbi Megan also attended URJ Kutz Camp, a high school leadership program, as a participant in the song-leading track which enhanced her skills and love of song leading.
“I am so excited to bring a camp feel to Temple Beth-El for the weekend,” beamed Rabbi Megan. “I am looking forward to leading with my childhood song leader Chava Mirel. When I was little that was a dream of mine.”
Friday’s dinner costs $18 per adult; kids are free. Saturday night’s dinner is free for children and adults. Register at tinyurl.com/RabbiMegan.
Temple Beth-El, the peninsula’s oldest synagogue which has been serving the community for more than 95 years, is located at 5 Old Mill Road in Great Neck. Learn more by visiting www.tbegreatneck.org, calling 516-487-0900 or emailing info@tbegreatneck.org.
—Submitted by Temple Beth-El
