During the busy weeks before Pesach, the members of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun received a letter in the mail from Rabbi Josh Lookstein, who is currently studying in Israel. In the letter, Rabbi Lookstein announced his resignation from both KJ and Ramaz, marking his retirement from rabbinical life in the community.Rabbi Lookstein explains that “when I was in the community, it was overwhelming in the sense that all I could see from left to right was KJ/Ramaz.” Rabbi Lookstein was able to see his life in a different light in Israel where he was “allowed the perspective that as influential and important as KJ/Ramaz is there is more to the world. Israel gave me the space I needed to think clearly with as few pressures as possible.” Rabbi Haskel Lookstein conjectures that his son “wants to be a part of the community and not separated.” He speculates that Rabbi Josh Lookstein felt “pressure growing up, although unspoken, that this is what he’s supposed to do, but realized it’s not what he wants.” Reactions varied as news began to spread of Rabbi Josh Lookstein’s resignation. Rabbi Haskel Lookstein explained that the resignation was not a big surprise for him. “We’ve been thinking about it for a long time” he said, “and it crystallized in the last year and a half. Rabbi Josh reached a decision a few months ago and we were wondering how to explain it to the community.” Rabbi Kobrin on the other hand was “somewhat surprised, although there had been hints earlier in the year.” Mr. Miller describes his response as “bordering on shock” because he had always thought that “Rabbi Lookstein would return and then bring his strengths to the position in KJ.” Most Ramaz students were surprised by the announcement. Those who were not members of KJ and had not received the letter heard the news from friends. Alan Feder ’04 explains that he had “always assumed that Rabbi Josh was naturally going to be next after Rabbi Lookstein so the resignation was very surprising.” Elizabeth Sinnreich ’04 felt that “it took a lot of guts for him to resign from a position that has been basically reserved for him since he was born.”

Despite the initial shock, there has been overwhelming support for Rabbi Lookstein’s decision. “It’s sad and disappointing that Rabbi Josh Lookstein is leaving,” said Mr. Rochlin. Rabbi Kobrin said he feels “happy for him, but I’m sad for the school, because at a time of transition . Rabbi Lookstein’s leadership presence was one constant that was in place.” Rabbi Haskel Lookstein explained that it is important for Rabbi Josh Lookstein to do what he wants and that “I have the shul and school in mind, but I first have Rabbi Josh in mind.”

Fred Distenfeld, a member of the board of KJ, feels that “although Rabbi Josh Lookstein will be sorely missed and he is a terrific person, if it’s his desire not to be here, then it is good that he resigned.” Rabbi Haskel Lookstein agreed that the resignation was for the better and said that for “the rabbinate you have to believe in what you are doing and feel good about it.”  

Although the community has been supportive, many find Rabbi Lookstein’s affinity for the rabbinical-principal position undeniable. “He would have been, and was, great at it,” observes Rabbi Bienenfeld, “he was a pulpit rabbi in Stamford and he was very popular.” Rabbi Kobrin feels that “he would have grown into the job and would have been very successful, but not if he didn’t want to do it.”

“It’s too bad because he was so good at it. He was terrific at being a rabbi,” said Rabbi Haskel Lookstein. “His greatest strength was his wonderful sense of people. He loves, understands, and relates very well, and this is a key rabbinical quality.”

Ramaz now stands at a turning point in its history. Although Rabbi Haskel Lookstein could not hypothesize on Ramaz’s leadership future, Rabbi Josh Lookstein sees “someone who is warm, instinctively caring, dedicated to education, but maybe most importantly, someone who is staunchly committed to Modern Orthodoxy.”

Fred Distenfeld added that “there was no timeline on the appointment of a rabbi” to assume Rabbi Lookstein’s position. Rabbi Kobrin feels that “ultimately this will benefit the school even though right now it’s a very painful and raw period. Both institutions are too big for one person anyway, so this will be a good opportunity for growth.”

Many wonder about the future of Rabbi Lookstein. “The jury is still out. Things could change. I wouldn’t be surprised if, down the line, he came back. He might be the Michael Jordan of Ramaz,” stated Rabbi Bienenfeld. Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, however, does not see a return in Rabbi Josh Lookstein’s future. “I don’t think it’s likely that Rabbi Josh will return, although I have been entertaining fantasies about it. If he did want to come back, a lot would depend upon the structure of our congregation.” Rabbi Josh Lookstein spoke of his interest in working with Jewish non-profit organizations in either New York or Israel. “I am looking into jobs at foundations in the New York area. My immediate plan is to stay in Jewish communal work but in a different context. A foundation would allow me to be involved in giving to the community in any number of areas-welfare and education, to name a couple.”

Although he is leaving Ramaz/KJ, Rabbi Lookstein truly had a love for the community. “I don’t regret my decision and I certainly don’t regret any time that I spent in the community. My only regret is that I’m not sure I will find another position that will allow me to develop such close relationships with people-students, parents and members of the community. That is the aspect of my role that I loved and the one that will be the most difficult to replace.”