HALIFAX — Ari Isenberg was only 19 years old, a Concordia University student and a young man from Montreal enthralled with cantorial and secular Jewish music, when he heard of a High Holiday cantorial position at Halifax’s Conservative Shaar Shalom Synagogue and took the job.
Fourteen years later, he’s leaving Shaar Shalom, “saying the hardest ‘yes’ I’ve ever said” after being offered a new position. “I’m leaving a cherished, beloved community, an adopted family more so than congregants.”
Late this summer, Rabbi Isenberg, 33, will become associate rabbi at Temple Israel Centre in White Plains, N.Y., moving from basically being a one-man operation to being part of team of 20, and from a congregation of about 200 families to one four times that size.
He will teach adult classes, work with small children on occasion, engage with teenagers and “start a great adventure. It’s the perfect next step for me,” says Rabbi Isenberg, adding, when asked how far beyond this appointment he has looked, “Man plans and God laughs.”
Rabbi Isenberg was High Holidays cantor for three years when Shaar Shalom lost its rabbi. He moved to Halifax in order to fill some rabbinical functions as spiritual leader of the congregation.
Seven years ago, he discovered a passion for the rabbinate.
“There were too many ‘aha’ moments to mention that triggered the desire,” he says. “Some were joyful, as families relied on me to help make a simchah unique and meaningful. There was grief, loss and pain, which showed me just being there was so necessary. I realized how important what I was doing could be.”
The Shaar Shalom members and board were very supportive when he asked to attend the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York on a full-time basis, planning to spend as much time as possible continuing in his role as spiritual leader in Halifax. He returned as many as 20 times a year during his studies, particularly for major holidays. He was learning the theory of the rabbinate and putting that learning to use in the pulpit.
Murray Schwartz was president when Rabbi Isenberg first arrived.
“He was a young man, very amiable, great voice, got along well with everyone,” Schwartz recalls. “When we were looking for a rabbi, he said he could do the job, with some exceptions. We had had some contentiousness in the pulpit, and he brought calm as spiritual leader.”
It’s been a pleasure to see Rabbi Isenberg grow, Schwartz added. “He earned the respect of the people, which was probably difficult for a very young man. “
Mark Rosen, a member of the shul’s current executive committee, noted how Rabbi Isenberg brought a new style to the pulpit. “He ran an enjoyable service with new melodies and connected so well with all generations.”
Rosen said the rabbi has been a major influence on the wider community, working on interfaith initiatives and often representing the community in the media and taking part in public events. He has guest lectured at universities as well as participated as a vocal artist at the Atlantic Jazz Festival in Halifax, and he is an aficionado of salsa dancing.
While a search committee has been struck, Rosen said the shul “can’t look for a replacement, because no one can replace Rabbi Ari. He’s a special person. We were truly blessed to have a rabbi and a cantor in one.”
At a farewell function, Rosen – who attended many Halifax Moosehead (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) games with the rabbi and shared with him a love of the Montreal Canadiens – gave the rabbi a Moosehead scarf “to keep him warm” and his own personal Habs yarmulke.
“I’ve also started a process to have his U.S. visa denied,” Rosen joked.