On Friday, October 15, 2021, Temple Beth Tikvah celebrated the installation of their new Rabbi, Danny Moss. At the music-filled event, the congregation was honored to hear from their emeriti rabbis, Rabbi Howard Sommer and Rabbi Stacy Offner, and guest rabbi, Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel, Westport, CT.

Rabbi Offner welcomed Rabbi Moss as the congregation enters into this sacred partnership and offered her partnership as he leads us into the future. Rabbi Sommer passed the Torah that TBT wrote, on the occasion of it’s 30th anniversary, and offered a Rabbinic blessing to Rabbi Moss. Rabbi Friedman gave the installation address. He drew parallels with the week’s parsha, Lech Lecha, and the beginning of the new journey that Rabbi Moss and his wife, Rabbi Susan Landau Moss, have embarked on.

Rabbi Friedman instructed the congregation to install Rabbi Moss with confidence in his ability to be our rabbi, and with compassion as he grows into his new role. He offered two pieces of advice for Rabbi Moss: love your people and help them not only to be Jewish but to be more human.

In response, Rabbi Moss thanked the congregation and discussed why he chose TBT – its pioneer spirit, strong sense of chesed and deep human connections, and pursuit of tikkun olam. He expressed his hope that he be not only our Rabbi but also our Rebbe. Rabbi Moss received welcome from the TBT Board President, Sarah Mervine, and the Youth Group President, Melanie Siegal. The congregation entered into a brit with a congregational blessing.

This special Shabbat service was enhanced by the musical contributions of Cantor Jennifer Boyle, the TBT choir and accompanist Walter Stutzman, Cory Guzzi, Amy and Steve Eppler-Epstein and Rick Calvert, Stu Weinzimer and Jodie Ambrosino, and Rabbi Susan Landau Moss and Jennifer Silva.

Rabbi Moss grew up in the Chicago area, attended Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music, was ordained by HUC-JIR in 2017, and most recently served as Associate Rabbi of Temple Israel in Westport, CT