Rabbi Eric B. Wisnia has announced his retirement after 42 years as senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Chaim. He will retire on January 31, 2019.
Wisnia joined Congregation Beth Chaim in 1977. The congregation will hire an interim rabbi and then begin the search for a new senior rabbi.
The congregation is celebrating the role Wisnia has played in the synagogue and the community at large by hosting a benefit gala on Nove. 3. For tickets, visit bethchaim.org/benefit. Other events to honor Wisnia have been scheduled and can be found on congregation’s website.
Wisnia has been a forceful and charismatic leader of the congregation. He has led the congregation through substantial growth in his more than 40 years as senior rabbi. In that capacity he has presided over more than 4,000 life cycle events.
In his 42 years as senior rabbi, Wisnia has been a powerful voice for religious liberty. He operates with the philosophy that “we are all brothers and sisters, and when any of our rights are diminished, all of our rights are diminished.”
His strong support for the building of the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton in West Windsor led the mosque to honor him with a Community Service Award in December 2014.
In September 2018 he was honored by the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks for his dedicated service to the community.
