Rabbi Barney Brickner has quietly ended his relationship with the Wood River Jewish Community. He is the third rabbi to have been employed full-time by the 50-year-old organization.
"We regret the fact that Rabbi Brickner has decided to resign and we wish him the best in his future endeavors," said Harriet Parker-Bass, WRJC board president. "We are in the midst of making short-term plans. Whether we have a temporary rabbi, a temporary cantor or a lay leader we do not yet know. But our programs are all continuing as before. We had a lovely Chanukah party with 140 people."
Brickner, a third-generation American Reform Rabbi arrived in the Wood River Valley from New York state in July 2007 with his family, and was the rabbi for the group until the abrupt split this fall.
"I was very proud in terms of what we accomplished—reaching out to the community, making inroads in the interfaith dialogue, improving teaching opportunities, and hosting guests such as Rabbi Mike Comins," he said. "I was thrilled at the response of parents to the school. We doubled the attendance."
Brickner attended many community events and hosted dinners and gatherings at his home. For now the family is staying put. His son is a student at Wood River Middle School and will finish the school year.
"The plan is to find another congregation. I'm a rabbi. That's what I do," he said. "This congregation appears to be in a transition period trying to identify what it wants to be. I tried to help find and help shape that.
"I'm glad I was part of this community for the time I was," he added. "It's a very interesting community and there are some very dynamic people who are interested in bringing an active Jewish life to the valley. With the right leadership the community has a great future."
The Jewish community in the Wood River Valley has had an ever-changing face. Since 1955 there has been a presence in the valley, and in the past 20 years it has seen much growth. Currently it numbers 190 families, a third of which are full time. Marty Lyon was on the board for two years and served as president for four years. He said that every two or three years there is a change in leadership that makes it "unique and perhaps challenging."
"A (large) percentage of our members are part-time," he said. "In many ways we have congregants who are interested in having a big-city congregation because that's what they come from. When you bring people in they see a land of possibilities, but it's not city life here. It's the Rocky Mountains."
"Barney was very involved. It's unfortunate for the community," he said. "I'm optimistic we will continue to grow." Lyon said he hopes to have a new rabbi within two years.
Rabbi Barney Brickner is no longer associated with the Wood River Jewish Community. Photo by Willy Cook
