It is just over six months since Belsize Square’s Rabbinic Search Committee met for the first time to begin the journey of finding Rabbi Mariner’s successor, writes Rob Nothman. So far, it has been time-consuming and occasionally challenging, but relentlessly fascinating and engrossing.

Many of you will remember Rabbi Mariner’s announcement during the 2008 High Holydays, repeated in this publication 12 months ago, revealing the timetable for his and Sue’s retirement.

“I hasten to add that neither of us is being ‘shown the door’ ... and it is time for ‘new eyes’ to oversee our services and the religious life of the community. If all goes to plan, some time after the High Holydays in 2010, it is intended that the Synagogue will welcome a new Rabbi (as yet undesignated); then, after a Sabbatical for Sue and me (during which time the new Rabbi will have a chance to settle in), we will, in May 2011, celebrate our retirement with the community and possibly induct the new Rabbi.”

The Committee’s primary aim has been to ensure our search is as wide and thorough as possible. To that end, various leading figures throughout the Jewish Community were consulted and our membership was invited to offer their views and insights. We have contacted all the major non-Orthodox Rabbinic bodies throughout the world and have lodged our placement documents with the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative/Masorti), Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism. The Rabbinic “Transfer Season” normally extends from after Simchat Torah in late October to Pesach in the Spring. So far, the applications we have received have come from Britain, United States, Israel and South Africa.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, the need for confidentiality precludes me from giving any more details at this stage, but the process of making contact with each candidate, initially by phone, has just begun. If any candidates are invited to visit Belsize Square, we shall – of course – let you know.

In the meantime, I should like to thank the members of the Search Committee – Justyn Trenner, Pat Hirschovits, Brenda Brod and Paul Burger for their hard work and wise counsel; to Rabbi Mariner for his advice and guidance; and I would like to repeat my invitation to any member who has suggestions or questions to contact me, through the Synagogue Office, for a chat. I shall endeavour to keep you updated as progress is made.

Rob Nothman, chairman of Rabbinical Search Committee