A Farewell Weekend of events in honor of Rabbi Alan B. Lucas, Temple Beth Sholom’s senior rabbi, will take place on June 10 – 12, as the rabbi prepares to conclude 28 years as the congregation’s esteemed spiritual leader.
A prominent figure in Judaism’s Conservative Movement, Lucas is known for his scholarship, inspiring sermons, and encouragement of lifelong learning. He has served on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, for which he wrote a response on “Tattooing and Body Piercing.” And he authored a chapter on Jewish holidays in The Observant Life, the Rabbinical Assembly’s layperson’s guide to Conservative Judaism, published in 2012.
He and his wife, Edy, shared their love of Israel with congregants over the years by escorting multiple TBS tours there. Rabbi Lucas has also served on the Chancellor’s Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Theological Seminary and has been a board member of UJA-Federation of New York and of MERCAZ, the Zionist arm of the Conservative Movement.
“Rabbi Lucas opened Temple Beth Sholom’s doors to the broader Roslyn community and beyond during crises such as Hurricane Sandy by offering a haven for people to warm up, recharge their devices, and connect with others,” said Carolyn Canova, who co-chairs the Farewell Events Committee along with Ellen Walk. “During the Covid pandemic, he sustained connection with our members by pivoting to conducting services via Live Streaming and Zoom and offering virtual learning classes. He is known for inspiring the congregation with his topical sermons that blended lessons of faith and Torah and reflected his sense of humor.”
Although Lucas is retiring from his pulpit, he and Edy will continue to live in the Roslyn community. He says they look forward to spending more Jewish holidays with their three children and their families, who are all living on the East Coast now. His son, Ari, has followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a Conservative rabbi, and has a pulpit in Caldwell, New Jersey.
Rabbi Lucas’s Farewell Weekend will begin on Friday, June 10, at 6 pm, with a BBQ Dinner and Kabbalat Shabbat Services Under the Stars.
On Saturday, June 11, Rabbi Lucas will give one last sermon as senior rabbi at Shabbat Morning Services, which begin at 9:30 a.m., and it’s certain to be a most memorable one. A L’Chaim Farewell Kiddush Luncheon will follow in honor of Rabbi and Edy Lucas.
A Grand Farewell Celebration – an evening of memories and tributes – is planned for Sunday, June 12, at 5 p,.m., and will include a cocktail reception, a formal program, and a buffet dinner.
Reservations are required for the Friday night Shabbat dinner, Sunday evening Farewell Celebration, and Shabbat Kiddush Luncheon.
The synagogue has established the Rabbi Alan B. Lucas Legacy Fund to provide resources for educational programming as well as digital and recording facility enhancements that will encourage lifelong learning, inclusion, and community building, all values Rabbi espoused.
There are donor opportunities and sponsorship packages you may choose that include tickets to the Farewell Celebration on June 12. There will also be an E-Journal in which to place ads and good wishes that will run during the event. People may choose to donate online at tbsroslyn.org/get-involved/alan-b-lucas-legacy-fund/ or may mail their check to Temple Beth Sholom, 401 Roslyn Rd., Roslyn Heights, NY 11577. E-Journal ads begin at $100 for a name listing and range up to $1,000 for a full page. For further information, please visit the temple website at https://tbsroslyn.org/event/rabbi-farewell/ or contact the Temple office at 516-621-2288.
