A Fond Farewell to Rabbi Karen Companez
From Cathy Blum, Immediate Past President, Temple Beth-El
Rabbi Karen Companez began as Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in the fall of 2015. She started her tenure with a one-year “trial period” and was enthusiastically welcomed to continue as our Rabbi following that first year. Rabbi Companez offered us programming we had not experienced, such as joyous Simchat Torah celebrations, Shabbat walks, and celebrating Shabbat at congregants’ homes.
Rabbi Companez skillfully led us through one of the most challenging times in Temple Beth-El’s history—the COVID-19 epidemic. While the building was closed to prevent the spread of infection, Rabbi Companez, along with Barb Brook and Scott Palmer, created Zoom services, allowing congregants to participate from their homes. Attendance at Kabbalat Shabbat significantly increased during COVID-19 and has remained high after reopening and offering hybrid services.
During our grief and sorrow of leaving our beloved but now oversized building, Rabbi Companez acknowledged our difficulties and provided opportunities to express our fond memories while mourning our changes. Rabbi worked side-by-side with the rest of the congregation in sorting, packing, and moving our belongings. She also created an opportunity to perform a mitzvah by suggesting and arranging to donate three of our unused Torahs to congregations across the globe who did not have their own Torah.
These snippets demonstrate that Rabbi Companez has been creative, energetic, and empathetic in leading Temple Beth-El through joy and sorrow. Her presence will be missed, but we will carry fond memories of her nine years with us as we move into the future.
From Dawn Slein, Member of Temple Beth-El
I reconnected with Temple Beth-El during COVID-19. The opportunity to attend services on Zoom allowed me to be home and reconnect with Temple members. I needed to find a reason to continue working through the confines of Covid life. Rabbi Companez was that still, small voice that gave me guidance. She can relate any Torah portion to a topic or concern of today. Her voice of reason and reflection allows us to pause and find the good in each week. After the service, my husband and I would sit down to dinner and often talk about the topics from the service.
I will deeply miss Rabbi Companez. She has been my guide to reconnecting with G-d. She helps me see the Torah in relation to today’s world connections, making me want to know more.
May all her days be filled with happiness
From Rick & Sandy Schpok, Members of Temple Beth-El
Rabbi Companez has made a welcomed impact on the Michiana area. She is the first woman Rabbi of Temple Beth-El. As our country and world continue to be at war and in conflict, Rabbi Companez concentrates on promoting tolerance, inclusiveness, and social justice. In our local area, she has been involved in many social causes – religious and secular. Along with teaching Jewish values, she encourages respect for those with other beliefs. She welcomed the Imam and Islamic Society of Michiana members to attend Temple Beth-El services and discussions. Rabbi has been involved with the Latino organization La Casa de Amistad, supporting immigration change, helping youth, and fundraising. Within Temple Beth-El, Rabbi has often publicly acknowledged and expressed gratitude for the Temple members who are not Jewish but are spouses or partners of Jewish members.