Vermont rabbi facing ouster

©By Ted Cohen/Patch.com©

The head of Vermont's largest synagogue is on the way out, largely over his outspoken pro-Israel zealotry.

Although Ohavi Zedek Synagogue officials refuse to discuss Rabbi Aaron Philmus, they disclosed that lawyers for both sides are in negotiations.

"Attorneys for Ohavi Zedek and Rabbi Aaron are in a constructive dialogue," said Jeff Potash, board president.

Potash said the negotiations involve "the situation" with Philmus but didn't explain "the situation."

The legal battle comes in the wake of a synagogue membership that has been bitterly divided over the rabbi's unwavering defense of Israel, with influential members offended by his hard line.

The board has refused to draw a defining line on Jewish sovereignty, calling for compromise with Palestinians.

The debate has spilled over to the rabbi's belief that the temple's school is soft-peddling Zionist teachings.

The dispute is further sharpened by the rabbi's stance that the pre-school needs new direction - if it's to remain in business at all.

In an earlier vague, cryptic email to members, Potash wrote that "the board is working through a complex and sensitive situation with our rabbi."

He never explained - and still won't discuss - the origins of the bitter feud between the board and Philmus.

Potash then called on another self-important, arrogant, pedantic board member to lecture congregants via email why they aren't adult-enough to handle the truth behind "a very difficult situation."

Philmus, the New Jersey native the board hired and is now trying to fire, was teaching in Kansas and had previously been a rabbi at several congregations across the country before he was hired just two years ago to succeed Rabbi Amy Small, who also left before she hoped to.

The popular Small had been expected to seek a contract renewal but suddenly decided she was going to "retire early."

The synagogue has been burning through rabbis, one after the other, in the wake of the 41-year tenure of longtime Rabbi Max Wall.

The question is why.

The synagogue has gone through at least three rabbis since Wall retired in 1987.

Wall's immediate successor, Joshua Chasan, lasted 25 years but he, too, nearly got fired for performing interfaith marriages.

The seeming problem at Vermont's largest synagogue is an insecure, power-hungry, inexperienced, out-of-touch board of trustees lacking the wisdom to understand the simplest concept - a clerical leader can't be expected or forced to please everyone.