At a special Congregation meeting held Sunday, Feb. 21, on Zoom, those attending overwhelmingly approved a contract extension for Rabbi Gadi Capela, spiritual leader of the synagogue. The new terms extend the current contract, due to expire on August 30, 2021, by 16 months, moving the renegotiated contract expiration date to Dec. 31, 2022.

Treasurer Alan Garmise, chair of the Contract Negotiating Committee, explained the extension of 16 months. Previous contracts have expired just prior to the High Holy Days, a problematic time for both a rabbi and any congregation, he said. 

According to the extension, all terms of the current contract will remain in place, including no changes in the rabbi’s annual salary or his retirement plan. The synagogue will continue to fund the rabbi’s medical insurance policy.

Congregants unable to attend the meeting were invited to cast their votes by email. The final numbers were not available at press time, but the acceptance rate of more than 85% of congregants voting favorably at the meeting was not expected to change significantly.