This morning, this email was sent to the membership of BJSZ:

Dear Friends:

I hope this note finds you all well.

I am writing to share with you that at last night’s meeting of the Orthodox Union’s Board of Trustees I was named the organization’s next Executive Vice President (EVP).

Approximately three months ago, I was first approached by the Executive Committee of the Orthodox Union (OU) and asked to consider assuming this position. The Orthodox Union is a significant organization whose programs and voice have national and global impact. As such, the proposal to serve them in this capacity was not something I could ignore, as it provides an opportunity to serve Klal Yisrael on a different level.

Mindi and I have spent these months carefully and painfully considering this proposal. While we will not relocate from Baltimore, the position will carry great responsibility and require a significant amount of travel. Accepting the position will preclude me from being able to continue in the role I have had at the shul, where I have been consistently present, teaching dozens of shiurim weekly, and have tried to be available at all times to you and the community for personal and communal issues. That role will need to be assumed by someone else.

I have discussed this matter at length with the current and past leadership of the shul, as well as with Rabbi Rose. This juncture should be seen as an opportunity for the shul to continue to grow and flourish, and we must seize that opportunity. I am deeply committed to support and encourage that growth in any way that I can. And – with the support of the OU – I am committed to help make this a smooth transition that will be sensitive to the needs of our community.

The twenty six years Mindi and I have spent with you have been incredibly formative and rewarding. Your support, encouragement and partnership have enabled us to work together to build a strong and vibrant shul community that occupies a unique and important place in Baltimore’s Jewish communal landscape. The values and the “ruach” that characterize our shul are shared by all of us, and cherished by all of us. I am very hopeful that we will all pull together to ensure that this is maintained, and that our shul family remain united.

While we have often spoken of how the shul is our extended family, the deep truth of that has only become clearer to us as we have gone through this very difficult decision making process. We treasure BJSZ and what it stands for, and we cherish our relationships with each and every one of you.

I hope that we will have your love and support as we approach this significant step that will be very challenging for all of us. And I hope that you will continue to be committed to the future of BJSZ. It is our hope and fervent prayer that the future will bring meaningful and positive outcomes for all of us, and for Klal Yisrael.

B’ahava,

Moshe Hauer