Rabbi Candidate Visit
The Search Committee and I are pleased to announce that Rabbinic candidate, Rabbi Guershon Kwasniewski, and his wife, Patry, will visit Singapore between Thursday, May 8 and Sunday, May 12. During this visit, members of the UHC community will have a number of opportunities to meet Rabbi Guershon in spiritual as well as social and academic capacities.
I would like to thank the whole search committee along with members of the Gabbai team and the Management Committee for undertaking a rigorous vetting and interview process and getting us to this stage.
Rabbi Guershon Kwasniewski
Rabbi Guershon Kwasniewski is a visionary with the energy and enthusiasm to bring his dreams to life. He has led the Brazilian Jewish Cultural and Beneficent Society since 1996, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He also belongs to the interfaith dialogue group of Porto Alegre, of which he has served as Coordinator since 2014. He studied at the Marshall T. Meyer Latin American Rabbinical Seminary in Argentina and at the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Israel.
He is a founding member of the World Union for Progressive Judaism Latin America and is a Central Conference of American Rabbis member. Rabbi Guershon is a proponent of pushing the boundaries of tolerance and deeply believes in interfaith respect and unity. In recognition of his work on interfaith topics, Rabbi Guershon was selected to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program organized by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. An area of particularly interest for Rabbi Guershon is KAICIID's approach to using interreligious dialogue to strengthen peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion.
Community Support
If you would like to host the Coffee Morning with Rabbi Guershon please email me. We are also looking for members of the community to host Patry whilst she is in Singapore and show her around.
The Search Committee will announce soon how you will be able to share your feedback from your interactions with Rabbi Guershon.
Thank you for in advance for welcoming Rabbi Guershon and Patry to Singapore.
Tenative Schedule for Rabbi Guershon's Visit to Singapore
Wednesday 8 May
Rabbi and Dr Guershon arrive in Singapore
Thursday 9 May
0730-0900 Thursday Morning Minyan at the UHC office - Register here
0900 Meeting with the Gabbai Team
1000-1630 Rabbi and Dr Guershon tour Singapore
1800 Rabbi and Dr Guershon dinner with the search committee
Friday 10 May
0920-0950 Informal coffee gatherings with Rabbi Guershon, an opportunity for member of the UHC
1000-1030 Community to meet Rabbi Guershon in small, informal groups in 30 minutes slots
1040-1110 Register here
1120-1150
1200-1230
1300-1430 Rabbi Guershon lunch with the UHC Management Committee
1830-2100 Friday Night Service at the Hollandse Club, followed by a Potluck Oneg; Register here
Saturday 11 May
0930-1130 Saturday Morning Shabbat Service in the office; Register here
1200-1700 Rabbi and Dr Guershon tour Singapore
1900-2200 Community Yom Haatzmaut Party and Potluck dinner with Rabbi and Dr Guershon; Register here
Sunday 12 May
0915-1200 Rabbi Guershon at Sunday School
1200-1330 Lunch and Lox with Rabbi and Dr Guershon. A final chance to meet Rabbi Guershon and to hear parting thoughts and reflection from the Rabbi; Register here
1800 Wrap up with the Seach Committee and Rabbi Guershon