PORTSMOUTH — After 22 years, a pillar of the Port City spiritual community is leaving.
Rabbi David Mark will leave Temple Israel in January to lead a synagogue in Pompano Beach, Fla. Mark and his wife, Anbeth, came to Portsmouth in 1986 after serving at a temple in North Carolina. Since then, Temple Israel has grown from fewer than 200 members to more than 300, and the number of children in religious school has tripled.
"It's been a great run, and I had the pleasure of seeing the congregation grow to a larger size than anytime in its history," said Mark. "I've had this great pleasure of officiating the weddings of some of the children I saw go through bar/bat mitzvah and later on at the naming ceremonies for their children. It's a wonderful sense of continuity you get in a community this size.
"But, I have to say, after 22 years, I felt the need for a greater challenge. ... This seemed like the right fit."
The announcement in late October came as a surprise to the congregation, according to Temple President Andy Karpman, but it is not unusual for a rabbi to make a change to re-energize him or herself.
"He'll be sadly missed. He's been a great spiritual leader, a teacher and a friend," said Karpman. "Rabbi Mark has been an integral part of our community and the greater Seacoast community for so long that his departure will leave a major void in this area. We wish him the best."
A series of events will be held at Temple Israel Dec. 12-14 to honor the Marks.
Among the rabbi's greatest strengths was connecting and communicating with young people, according to Karpman; he also saw the positive in any situation.
It will be very difficult to replace Mark, according to longtime temple congregant Audrey Bierhans, who said she can't talk about his leaving without crying.
"I'm devastated. ... I never expected him to go," said Bierhans. "He's been my spiritual counsel and my friend. I just feel his leaving will be a tremendous loss to the Jewish community, and I don't think they'll find (another) rabbi like him."
The process of finding a replacement has begun with a search committee working with various organizations around the country. Karpman said temple leaders hope to secure a replacement as soon as possible, but will take their time to ensure they find the best fit.
Among Mark's proudest accomplishments are getting the bar/bat mitzvah program up and running, seeing the temple through its massive renovation project, his relationship with the public schools and University of New Hampshire, as well as Anbeth's work establishing a preschool and reviving the sisterhood after many years.
In addition, the development of the Ministerium Council — an organization aimed at strengthening all faiths across the Seacoast — in the 1990s was also a highlight. He said it has helped initiate dialogue on important issues and involve all the spiritual leaders in the community.
While there are many things he will miss about the congregation and the community, Mark said, he is excited about the challenge ahead.
"I have a very bittersweet feeling about leaving this community; I really do," said Mark. "Anbeth and I have spent a large part of our lives here, and we have grown to love New Hampshire in a great many ways, and we'll always have those memories."
Source: seacoastonline.com
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