A graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Lifshen has been Brith Sholom's spiritual leader since 1989. Before coming to Erie he served in Dallas, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, and Phoenixville, PA. He is a certified mohel, and he received a degree in clinical pastoral counseling. In November 1996, the Seminary conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.
No matter the size of the village, be it a shtetl in Poland, or a small city in Pennsylvania, called Erie, the community gathering place for the Jewish people has always been the synagogue.
Congregation Brith Sholom has been in Erie for over 100 years and has served as a gathering place for this Jewish community. Yes, it is true that each of us has private ritual observances in our homes, and each of us communes with God in our own special way, but the public side of being Jewish is to live in community at Congregation Brith Sholom, and to live life with people. This congregation is the heart and soul of the Erie Jewish community. I believe that throughout the years Congregation Brith Sholom has stood for something sacred and holy, and it has a unity of direction. It has always given spiritual sustenance to feed the soul of its members and educational nourishment to feed their minds, providing its members with a strong sense of belonging.
Over the years we have taught many people, young and old, synagogue skills. Our approach is to teach that "Torah is to be lived," and we attempt to "make the ordinary extraordinary!" The Rabbis, Board of Directors, and officers have tried to make a community building into a spiritual and educational oasis.
There is no doubt that Brith Sholom could not exist without the myriad of volunteers. They are the link to the success of our synagogue programs and services. Our volunteers never complain---they work quietly and they work often, with a smile! Truly they work because "Brith Sholom" means "Covenant of Peace." Each and every member is considered sacred and has accepted this covenant of membership. Part of this covenant is what Brith Sholom does for us as individuals, but an equal part of this covenant is what we as individuals do for Brith Sholom.
As we renew our covenant of peace and dedicate ourselves to the spirit of Congregation Brith Sholom, let us all continue to build upon the work, the ideas, the ideals and the inspiration of those who came before us.
Congregation Brith Sholom is a partnership---it takes all of us working together to keep the spirit of Conservative Judaism alive. I am deeply honored to be the rabbi of Brith Sholom and to do my share in leading this congregation into the future. With God's help, may we all go from strength to strength!
Rabbi Leonard Lifshen