Dear Central Family,

It is bittersweet news to share that Rabbi Dan Ross has accepted a new position as Director of Alumni Engagement at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), our Reform movement’s seminary, and will be leaving Central in June.

In this role, Rabbi Ross will work to engage HUC-JIR’s alumni across the world and to strengthen the ties between the seminary and the rabbis, cantors, educators, and communal professionals it has ordained and graduated. Rabbi Ross’ love for Jewish learning and his passion for Jewish professionals’ growth will be a boon for this important institution and for the Reform movement. While this is certainly a loss for our community, we are excited to see Rabbi Ross pursue his long-held dream of serving the Jewish world by contributing to the ongoing development of its professional leadership. 

Rabbi Ross first came to Central in 2019 from Yale Hillel. Among many notable contributions, Rabbi Ross has devoted his tenure to deepening engagement with our young professionals and teens, reinvigorating our shamashim program, and collaborating on numerous worship initiatives. He has also been a proud mentor to our rabbinic interns. As you may have experienced, Rabbi Ross has been a warm pastoral presence to so many in the congregation, from simchas to more challenging moments, providing comfort at times of illness and loss. We know he will continue to bless the Jewish community with his many gifts.   

Rabbi Ross will be truly missed in the Clergy study, on the bimah, and at our programs. We look forward to showing our appreciation during services later in the spring. 

From strength to strength,

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi
Shonni Silverberg, MD, President