Greensburg synagogue welcomes new rabbi

Rabbi Leonard Sarko believes in making faith approachable.

He often brings his guitar or keyboard to services to provide some musical accompaniment. He reads excerpts from the Torah in English as well as the traditional Hebrew.

He will bring those skills to Greensburg as the new rabbi of Congregation Emanu-El Israel on North Main Street.

“I was looking for a spot that matched what I could bring to a pulpit, and it seemed like a good fit,” said Sarko, who arrived in Greensburg this week from Fort Wayne, Ind., where he previously worked.

The feeling is mutual, according to members of Greensburg’s small Jewish community.

“It means a lot to us because we think he’s a very good fit for our age group, and he’s very personable,” said Irene Rothschild, president of the synagogue’s board of directors.

She praised Sarko’s ability to make services participatory and inclusive.

Sarko replaces Rabbi Stacy Petersohn, who left after about two years to return to her home state of California.

About 50 families attend the synagogue.

Terri Katzman was a member of the search committee for a new rabbi. She said the congregation clicked with Sarko when he visited Greensburg a few weeks ago and led a Friday night service.

“It was wonderful, and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone there,” she said. “It was a no-brainer that we wanted him to be our rabbi.”

Sarko said a rabbi needs to adapt to the changing needs of the congregation.

“The biggest challenge is to bring a synagogue into current times — because times have changed,” he said.

A synagogue must serve multiple roles, filling its members’ religious, social and educational needs, he said.

“A synagogue, or a church, becomes a new kind of extended family,” he said.

Katzman said she’s glad the synagogue found a new rabbi in time for the Jewish High Holidays, which start with Rosh Hashana on Sept. 30.

“He will be here to lead those services, and we’re looking forward to it,” she said.

Though he doesn’t officially start until Sunday, Sarko has been working remotely to get to know his new congregation.

He’s been calling up Emanu-El Israel members to get to know them and to congratulate them on big days such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Rothschild praised his proactive approach.

“It made me feel good about our decision to hire him, and he’s just made such a good impression on everybody that he’s met,” she said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Terri Katzman led the search committee for a new rabbi. Katzman was a member of the search committee, not its chair.