Temple Beth El, Oneonta, NY
Rabbi Molly Karp is a connector. She made an immediate and warm connection with me, a new congregant, and she helped me make connections with others in the community. As I watched her work with our congregation I noticed that whatever she was doing, she was helping people connect. She is interested in people, asks about their lives, and remembers and uses what she learns. A congregant makes a comment during a discussion, and she responds, noting how their perspective might have been informed by their work or something else she knew about their life. At social gatherings, she draws in the outliers, making everyone feel welcome and included. Rabbi Karp has many strengths as a leader, but it is that ability to connect and build community that stands out most for me.
Rabbi Karp pays the same deep attention to the likes and needs of children that she does to those of adults. She clearly understands that children are the future of the community and that building their connection to Judaism is one of a rabbi's most important jobs. Where some rabbis find the chaos and messiness that children bring unpleasant, Rabbi Karp welcomes children as they are, not as she might wish they would be. She creates opportunities for them to contribute, to be actively engaged, whether it is in helping to open the ark or in bringing their own chanukiahs to light.
Rabbi Karp has strong opinions, and while she works to make room for a wide range of opinions, there will rarely be a question about where she stands. She is direct and outspoken. One thing she is most outspoken about is the good in others. She helps create a community where the good in each person is recognized and celebrated, and where gratitude is at the center. I have found it a joy to be part of a congregation led by Rabbi Molly Karp. Hudi Podolsky
I am currently an active member of Temple Beth El in Oneonta, NY. Several years ago, having lost my wife to a prolonged illness, I decided to move to this area of upstate NY to be closer to my children and grandchildren. One of my first tasks was to become part of the Jewish Community. To that end, I met Rabbi Karp for a more or less formal introduction. As it turned out it became a rather informal meeting. The Rabbi immediately put me at ease by making me the chief subject of this discussion. Within a very short time I felt that I was being welcomed as an "old friend."
Rabbi Karp invited me to join the Temple, and as it is said, the rest is history. Over the 5 years that Rabbi Karp has been the rabbi at TBE, all of my first impressions of her have been confirmed and deepened. I respect her scholarship as unsurpassed by any Rabbi I have known. In addition, Rabbi Karp is unquestionably the most authentic and genuine person I have ever met. With Rabbi Karp, what you see is what you get. There is no ambiguity or pretense.
When leading services, Rabbi Karp is truly a consummate professional. She has an inner sense of how to move the congregation through a deeply spiritual experience. For Rabbi Karp, teaching is another area of unmatched experience; with her scholarship and skill she draws us into the love of learning, adults and children alike.
Rabbi Karp has worked to create community at Temple Beth El, through potluck dinners, barbeques, and individual dinners with congregants. Rabbi Karp is also thoughtful and careful in her planning for the future of the congregation, both short and long-term.
In conclusion, knowing Rabbi Karp, calling her my Rabbi and my friend, is a profound privilege and honor, one that I will always value. Howard L. Kaminsky
This is a letter of high recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp.
It is with deep regard that I put forth my personal and professional experiences with this leader. First, let me share my personal perceptive perspective. My family has been fully supported, nurtured, educated and spiritually sustained by the caring, compassionate and knowledgeable essence of Rabbi Karp. During times of tsuris and simchas, and everything in between, we always knew that her expertise was willing and able to address our needs.
A Rabbi that offers spiritual guidance that is coupled with in-depth command of Jewish traditions and Torah study will give one a rare glimpse into the light of a true Judaic experience. We have been blessed to have known this joy.
I am an end-of-life counselor and grief therapist. My professional association with Rabbi Karp provided a space to enrich and enhance many aspects of my interactions with the members of our community, both of Temple members and the community at large. This partnership allowed me many opportunities including facilitating informational meetings; i.e. hospice and our temple membership; offer grief support with a new Jewish understanding. Rabbi Karp’s extensive knowledge base and skills offered unique scholarship and learning to this grateful therapist.
It is with deep respect that I present this letter of robust recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp. Bernadette Winters Bell, LMSW, Thanatologist Life Loss & Grief herapist www.bernadettewintersbell.com
It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp. In the years she served as our rabbi she blessed us with her knowledge and her joy of learning. Rabbi Karp, like many rabbis, is incredibly knowledgeable. What make her unique is the joy she shares while teaching. For Rabbi Karp teaching is a dialogue between her and her congregants and she provides space and encouragement for us to explore our own interpretation. She treats every historical detail, every insight like a treasure and as she reveals to us the layered meanings of the lesson, her delight in the knowledge is contagious.
This enthusiasm is present for both adult and children. She is a hands-on teacher with a knack for knowing how to draw in her audience, regardless of age or previous knowledge of Judaism. My children and I love learning from her--in services, in the sukkah, and at potlucks. Rabbi Karp has led our spiritual journey with much affection. She understands that many of us have not had much Jewish education, especially as adults. She welcomes us all to learn with her—without judgment or any preconceived notion of what we should already know.
Rabbi Karp does an exceptional job of making children and young families welcome in services. She tells us that we all belong in the sanctuary just as they are--no matter their behavior or mood. More than once, she responded to squirmy children interrupting services with a smile and a shrug. She encourages them to be their authentic selves and reassures parents that our sacred spaces are open to all. She reminds anxious parents that our children are not a distraction from the real work--raising them among a Jewish community is the real work.
Rabbi Karp explicitly invites children up to the Bimah and assures them that she has saved the most important honors for them. She offers them blessings and tells that they are the heart of the congregation. She celebrates their attendance and participation with praise and affection. Her kind words and actions remind us that these children will sustain the congregation in a few years’ time.
Rabbi Karp’s message of inclusion is further reflected in meeting the needs of her congregants. She is particularly warm and accepting toward our members with special needs, again dealing with the occasional interruption or non sequitur with grace and dignity. Whether on Shabbat or the High Holidays, she continually reaffirms Torah’s acceptance of everyone and the moral worth of human life in all its forms.
In closing, Rabbi Karp shares a joy of learning with congregants of all ages. She has blessed our synagogue’s youngest generation with a sense of belonging that will last a lifetime. Jessica Wintringham
I am honored to be asked to write a letter of recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp. I highly recommend her for any rabbinic position.
I have known Rabbi Karp for 5 years. She accepted a position of part-time rabbi for Temple Beth El in Oneonta, NY. We worked together to form a Women’s Club at Temple Beth El, and we also traveled together to attend two summer meditation retreats sponsored by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. I regularly attended the Friday night Shabbat services and the Saturday Adult Education classes.
Rabbi Karp is an excellent teacher. She has an extensive knowledge of Hebrew and Torah. She is patient and views no question as insignificant. At least 8-10 people attended Saturday Torah Study and 10-14 regularly attended the Lunch and Learn sessions which focused on Mussar traits. This might not seem like much, but it was huge for our membership of 70 families.
Rabbi Karp brought Prayers for Healing and a time for expressing gratitude to our Friday night services. She has a good singing voice and introduced us to many new tunes. In general, she revitalized what had been a staid and not very well-attended service.
Rabbi Karp also instituted a pot-luck supper once a month to encourage community building. We enjoyed this time to just socialize after the Shabbat service. About 25 people regularly attended the dinner.
Our temple benefited from Rabbi Karp’s years as our Rabbi in the areas of education, spirituality and ritual, and building community. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about her qualifications or skills. Stephanie Bauer
I met Rabbi Molly Karp Spring of 2018 when joining Beth El. Rabbi Karp was very welcoming. She extended a warmth and generosity of spirit. She was also quite transparent about her views and beliefs while respecting that others may have other views and beliefs. But what stands out for me is her dedication to building and fostering community within her congregation.
In the fall of 2018, I purchased a Kubota tractor, and as a lark, I asked her to bless my tractor. Surprisingly, she took the matter quite seriously and a date was arranged for the event. She came to our place in Hartwick before Shabbat services, about 40 miles of extra travel, had dinner with our family and blessed my tractor, which was stuck axel deep in mud. She also provided a Mezuzah and wrote a prayer for my tractor. I was quite touched.
At oneg, after Shabbat service, Rabbi Karp is mindful to spend time and energy on all of the congregants present. She makes special effort to keep us informed on the congregants undergoing hardship and joy, and encourages us to reach out to those congregants. After spending time in her presence, I am always left with the thought that I should and could be a better and more observant Jew. Jay Bosley
Congregation Sons of Israel, Chambersburg, PA
“I was not involved in hiring Molly, as I was a newer arrival/member at Congregation Sons of Israel where she was already working as the Rabbi. That said, I strongly benefit from, and deeply enjoy her work at CSI, Chambersburg. My children and I really enjoy her personality, knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, balance between gravity over serious topics, and easy sense of humor over fun topics -- and finally her manner of communicating. It's become obvious to me that she deeply cares about being of valuable service to people throughout their lives, and more to the point, that she has the awareness, insight, and skill to deliver on that outcome.” Jonathan Altfeld
Molly Karp served our synagogue as Rabbi from September 2009 to May 2010. My husband and I have been active members of this synagogue for 26 years. My husband has served as President and is currently a member of the synagogue board. I have been an officer of the synagogue sisterhood, and have also served on the synagogue board. Our congregation has been in existence for over 100 years; it is currently a small congregation of about 35 family units. We have been affiliated with both the Reconstructionist as well as the Conservative movements.
My personal experience with Molly Karp is as her student in a Torah study class as well as in an intermediate Hebrew class. I can say, without reservation that she is the best Hebrew and Judaic studies teacher I have had the pleasure of studying with. She has a vast knowledge of the subject matter and is encouraging and motivating to her students. Her informal style puts one at ease and encourages one to return to class. She draws inferences from a vast number of sources, expanding the subject matter and balancing lessons with the latest commentaries. She is open and responsive to questions from the group and her answers are both reassuring as well as balanced in viewpoint. She is respectful towards her congregants and can listen attentively when needed. She is thoughtful and careful in her choice of words in her reactions.
Molly has a positively beautiful liturgical singing voice which stands out in its haunting quality and ability to keep a tune. She is open and receptive to the many counseling needs of her congregants. She has done an outstanding job on the pulpit in leading the congregation in High Holiday services as well as Shabbat services. Her sermons are timely and appropriate.
I recommend Molly Karp as rabbi as well as education director of your synagogue. John and Diane Arch
Temple Beth El, City Island, NY
Molly led services twice a month and conducted Saturday morning Torah study groups as well as High Holidays and other holidays. She also taught about Jewish views of the afterlife. Teaching was an integral part of everything she did. She was able to involve many congregants in the services. She was very knowledgeable about the history, customs, melodies and traditions of the religion. She imparted her wisdom in a warm, concise, positive and down-to-earth manner. She was engaging, enjoyable and unflappable. It was a pleasure for me to come to her services. She will be a tremendous asset to any temple that is fortunate enough to employ her. Nan Kaplan
Molly was hired as an assistant Rabbi at Temple Beth-El. She was both a creative and inspiring teacher and guide. The congregation responded enthusiastically to all of her endeavors. I highly recommend her for any and all positions that she applies for. Marc Kaplan
Norwich Jewish Center, Norwich, NY
I am gladly writing a note of recommendation for Molly. She served as Rabbi of the Norwich Jewish Center from September 2008 through August, 2009. During that time with us I found her to be very professional and spiritual in her conducting of Friday evening services. She had a way of keeping the congregation interested. In addition, the Saturday morning Torah learning classes were done in a very exciting way which kept even me interested. We were sorry to see Molly leave and I would highly recommend her to another congregation.
Howard Fogel
Rabbi Molly Karp is a connector. She made an immediate and warm connection with me, a new congregant, and she helped me make connections with others in the community. As I watched her work with our congregation I noticed that whatever she was doing, she was helping people connect. She is interested in people, asks about their lives, and remembers and uses what she learns. A congregant makes a comment during a discussion, and she responds, noting how their perspective might have been informed by their work or something else she knew about their life. At social gatherings, she draws in the outliers, making everyone feel welcome and included. Rabbi Karp has many strengths as a leader, but it is that ability to connect and build community that stands out most for me.
Rabbi Karp pays the same deep attention to the likes and needs of children that she does to those of adults. She clearly understands that children are the future of the community and that building their connection to Judaism is one of a rabbi's most important jobs. Where some rabbis find the chaos and messiness that children bring unpleasant, Rabbi Karp welcomes children as they are, not as she might wish they would be. She creates opportunities for them to contribute, to be actively engaged, whether it is in helping to open the ark or in bringing their own chanukiahs to light.
Rabbi Karp has strong opinions, and while she works to make room for a wide range of opinions, there will rarely be a question about where she stands. She is direct and outspoken. One thing she is most outspoken about is the good in others. She helps create a community where the good in each person is recognized and celebrated, and where gratitude is at the center. I have found it a joy to be part of a congregation led by Rabbi Molly Karp. Hudi Podolsky
I am currently an active member of Temple Beth El in Oneonta, NY. Several years ago, having lost my wife to a prolonged illness, I decided to move to this area of upstate NY to be closer to my children and grandchildren. One of my first tasks was to become part of the Jewish Community. To that end, I met Rabbi Karp for a more or less formal introduction. As it turned out it became a rather informal meeting. The Rabbi immediately put me at ease by making me the chief subject of this discussion. Within a very short time I felt that I was being welcomed as an "old friend."
Rabbi Karp invited me to join the Temple, and as it is said, the rest is history. Over the 5 years that Rabbi Karp has been the rabbi at TBE, all of my first impressions of her have been confirmed and deepened. I respect her scholarship as unsurpassed by any Rabbi I have known. In addition, Rabbi Karp is unquestionably the most authentic and genuine person I have ever met. With Rabbi Karp, what you see is what you get. There is no ambiguity or pretense.
When leading services, Rabbi Karp is truly a consummate professional. She has an inner sense of how to move the congregation through a deeply spiritual experience. For Rabbi Karp, teaching is another area of unmatched experience; with her scholarship and skill she draws us into the love of learning, adults and children alike.
Rabbi Karp has worked to create community at Temple Beth El, through potluck dinners, barbeques, and individual dinners with congregants. Rabbi Karp is also thoughtful and careful in her planning for the future of the congregation, both short and long-term.
In conclusion, knowing Rabbi Karp, calling her my Rabbi and my friend, is a profound privilege and honor, one that I will always value. Howard L. Kaminsky
This is a letter of high recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp.
It is with deep regard that I put forth my personal and professional experiences with this leader. First, let me share my personal perceptive perspective. My family has been fully supported, nurtured, educated and spiritually sustained by the caring, compassionate and knowledgeable essence of Rabbi Karp. During times of tsuris and simchas, and everything in between, we always knew that her expertise was willing and able to address our needs.
A Rabbi that offers spiritual guidance that is coupled with in-depth command of Jewish traditions and Torah study will give one a rare glimpse into the light of a true Judaic experience. We have been blessed to have known this joy.
I am an end-of-life counselor and grief therapist. My professional association with Rabbi Karp provided a space to enrich and enhance many aspects of my interactions with the members of our community, both of Temple members and the community at large. This partnership allowed me many opportunities including facilitating informational meetings; i.e. hospice and our temple membership; offer grief support with a new Jewish understanding. Rabbi Karp’s extensive knowledge base and skills offered unique scholarship and learning to this grateful therapist.
It is with deep respect that I present this letter of robust recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp. Bernadette Winters Bell, LMSW, Thanatologist Life Loss & Grief herapist www.bernadettewintersbell.com
It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp. In the years she served as our rabbi she blessed us with her knowledge and her joy of learning. Rabbi Karp, like many rabbis, is incredibly knowledgeable. What make her unique is the joy she shares while teaching. For Rabbi Karp teaching is a dialogue between her and her congregants and she provides space and encouragement for us to explore our own interpretation. She treats every historical detail, every insight like a treasure and as she reveals to us the layered meanings of the lesson, her delight in the knowledge is contagious.
This enthusiasm is present for both adult and children. She is a hands-on teacher with a knack for knowing how to draw in her audience, regardless of age or previous knowledge of Judaism. My children and I love learning from her--in services, in the sukkah, and at potlucks. Rabbi Karp has led our spiritual journey with much affection. She understands that many of us have not had much Jewish education, especially as adults. She welcomes us all to learn with her—without judgment or any preconceived notion of what we should already know.
Rabbi Karp does an exceptional job of making children and young families welcome in services. She tells us that we all belong in the sanctuary just as they are--no matter their behavior or mood. More than once, she responded to squirmy children interrupting services with a smile and a shrug. She encourages them to be their authentic selves and reassures parents that our sacred spaces are open to all. She reminds anxious parents that our children are not a distraction from the real work--raising them among a Jewish community is the real work.
Rabbi Karp explicitly invites children up to the Bimah and assures them that she has saved the most important honors for them. She offers them blessings and tells that they are the heart of the congregation. She celebrates their attendance and participation with praise and affection. Her kind words and actions remind us that these children will sustain the congregation in a few years’ time.
Rabbi Karp’s message of inclusion is further reflected in meeting the needs of her congregants. She is particularly warm and accepting toward our members with special needs, again dealing with the occasional interruption or non sequitur with grace and dignity. Whether on Shabbat or the High Holidays, she continually reaffirms Torah’s acceptance of everyone and the moral worth of human life in all its forms.
In closing, Rabbi Karp shares a joy of learning with congregants of all ages. She has blessed our synagogue’s youngest generation with a sense of belonging that will last a lifetime. Jessica Wintringham
I am honored to be asked to write a letter of recommendation for Rabbi Molly Karp. I highly recommend her for any rabbinic position.
I have known Rabbi Karp for 5 years. She accepted a position of part-time rabbi for Temple Beth El in Oneonta, NY. We worked together to form a Women’s Club at Temple Beth El, and we also traveled together to attend two summer meditation retreats sponsored by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. I regularly attended the Friday night Shabbat services and the Saturday Adult Education classes.
Rabbi Karp is an excellent teacher. She has an extensive knowledge of Hebrew and Torah. She is patient and views no question as insignificant. At least 8-10 people attended Saturday Torah Study and 10-14 regularly attended the Lunch and Learn sessions which focused on Mussar traits. This might not seem like much, but it was huge for our membership of 70 families.
Rabbi Karp brought Prayers for Healing and a time for expressing gratitude to our Friday night services. She has a good singing voice and introduced us to many new tunes. In general, she revitalized what had been a staid and not very well-attended service.
Rabbi Karp also instituted a pot-luck supper once a month to encourage community building. We enjoyed this time to just socialize after the Shabbat service. About 25 people regularly attended the dinner.
Our temple benefited from Rabbi Karp’s years as our Rabbi in the areas of education, spirituality and ritual, and building community. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about her qualifications or skills. Stephanie Bauer
I met Rabbi Molly Karp Spring of 2018 when joining Beth El. Rabbi Karp was very welcoming. She extended a warmth and generosity of spirit. She was also quite transparent about her views and beliefs while respecting that others may have other views and beliefs. But what stands out for me is her dedication to building and fostering community within her congregation.
In the fall of 2018, I purchased a Kubota tractor, and as a lark, I asked her to bless my tractor. Surprisingly, she took the matter quite seriously and a date was arranged for the event. She came to our place in Hartwick before Shabbat services, about 40 miles of extra travel, had dinner with our family and blessed my tractor, which was stuck axel deep in mud. She also provided a Mezuzah and wrote a prayer for my tractor. I was quite touched.
At oneg, after Shabbat service, Rabbi Karp is mindful to spend time and energy on all of the congregants present. She makes special effort to keep us informed on the congregants undergoing hardship and joy, and encourages us to reach out to those congregants. After spending time in her presence, I am always left with the thought that I should and could be a better and more observant Jew. Jay Bosley
Congregation Sons of Israel, Chambersburg, PA
“I was not involved in hiring Molly, as I was a newer arrival/member at Congregation Sons of Israel where she was already working as the Rabbi. That said, I strongly benefit from, and deeply enjoy her work at CSI, Chambersburg. My children and I really enjoy her personality, knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, balance between gravity over serious topics, and easy sense of humor over fun topics -- and finally her manner of communicating. It's become obvious to me that she deeply cares about being of valuable service to people throughout their lives, and more to the point, that she has the awareness, insight, and skill to deliver on that outcome.” Jonathan Altfeld
Molly Karp served our synagogue as Rabbi from September 2009 to May 2010. My husband and I have been active members of this synagogue for 26 years. My husband has served as President and is currently a member of the synagogue board. I have been an officer of the synagogue sisterhood, and have also served on the synagogue board. Our congregation has been in existence for over 100 years; it is currently a small congregation of about 35 family units. We have been affiliated with both the Reconstructionist as well as the Conservative movements.
My personal experience with Molly Karp is as her student in a Torah study class as well as in an intermediate Hebrew class. I can say, without reservation that she is the best Hebrew and Judaic studies teacher I have had the pleasure of studying with. She has a vast knowledge of the subject matter and is encouraging and motivating to her students. Her informal style puts one at ease and encourages one to return to class. She draws inferences from a vast number of sources, expanding the subject matter and balancing lessons with the latest commentaries. She is open and responsive to questions from the group and her answers are both reassuring as well as balanced in viewpoint. She is respectful towards her congregants and can listen attentively when needed. She is thoughtful and careful in her choice of words in her reactions.
Molly has a positively beautiful liturgical singing voice which stands out in its haunting quality and ability to keep a tune. She is open and receptive to the many counseling needs of her congregants. She has done an outstanding job on the pulpit in leading the congregation in High Holiday services as well as Shabbat services. Her sermons are timely and appropriate.
I recommend Molly Karp as rabbi as well as education director of your synagogue. John and Diane Arch
Temple Beth El, City Island, NY
Molly led services twice a month and conducted Saturday morning Torah study groups as well as High Holidays and other holidays. She also taught about Jewish views of the afterlife. Teaching was an integral part of everything she did. She was able to involve many congregants in the services. She was very knowledgeable about the history, customs, melodies and traditions of the religion. She imparted her wisdom in a warm, concise, positive and down-to-earth manner. She was engaging, enjoyable and unflappable. It was a pleasure for me to come to her services. She will be a tremendous asset to any temple that is fortunate enough to employ her. Nan Kaplan
Molly was hired as an assistant Rabbi at Temple Beth-El. She was both a creative and inspiring teacher and guide. The congregation responded enthusiastically to all of her endeavors. I highly recommend her for any and all positions that she applies for. Marc Kaplan
Norwich Jewish Center, Norwich, NY
I am gladly writing a note of recommendation for Molly. She served as Rabbi of the Norwich Jewish Center from September 2008 through August, 2009. During that time with us I found her to be very professional and spiritual in her conducting of Friday evening services. She had a way of keeping the congregation interested. In addition, the Saturday morning Torah learning classes were done in a very exciting way which kept even me interested. We were sorry to see Molly leave and I would highly recommend her to another congregation.
Howard Fogel
