By Donald H. Harrison

POWAY, Calif. — Normally contract negotiations between rabbis and their congregations are conducted behind closed doors, the results announced only after agreement is reached that the contract will be renewed or that the rabbi will end his or her tenure and move on to some other assignment.

Occasionally, however, the negotiations flare into the public realm, as happened last week when Rabbi Arnold Kopikis wrote to members of Ner Tamid Synagogue here that "I am no longer the Rabbi of Ner Tamid." 

In his letter sent to the congregants, he added: "After serving as Rabbi for seven years, I wanted you to hear this directly from me.  My contract expired on June 30, 2006.  I was approached by a committee of the Board and it was made clear to me that a decision had been made that the Congregation wanted to hire a new Rabbi for the long term, but there was a desire to engage my services for one year.

"I was willing to do that, but I felt that what was being asked of me during that one year period was simply not reasonable.  I am certain the committee had a different view.  I am not saying that I was right and they were wrong.  To the contrary, I am only saying that we couldn't come to an understanding.

"After I consulted with both the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, I decided that it would be best for all concerned if I moved on.  I am not certain what the future holds for me, but I am certain that I will have an opportunity to interact with many of you in the future.  My door (and phone) is always open, so if there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know.  I wish all all the congregants of Ner Tamid the best." 

The letter was dated August 3, and Kopikis did not officiate at either Friday night Shabbat services on August 4, or Saturday morning services August 5.  Yehuda Shabatay, former director of the San Diego Bureau of Education, was drafted to deliver the d'var Torah.

Asked Sunday about the Kopikis letter, Diana Lerner, the Conservative congregation's acting president, said: "The rabbi's resignation came as a complete surprise to me and the rest of the board since we were in the midst of negotiating a new contract with him.  The Ner Tamid leadership is doing everything it can to maintain stability in the synagogue and instill confidence in its members.  All programs and services will go on as previously planned.  We are blessed with educated and dedicated lay leadership who can conduct services, present d'vrai Torah and continue to promote the principles of Conservative Judaism.   We wish Rabbi Kopikis the best in his future endeavors."

In a telephone interview, Kopikis said that he did not consider his letter to be a "resignation," but rather a reference to the fact that his contract had expired.  He said there was the possibility that he would have another meeting with Ner Tamid's board of directors on Wednesday, August 9, and said he did not wish to comment further for the record at least until after that meeting.

Kopikis had been trained at the rabbinical seminary in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later occupied pulpits in Mexico City and Guadalajara before moving to San Diego, where he led a Spanish-speaking congregation that briefly merged with Congregation Beth El before reconstituting itself as Adat Ami Synagogue.  Later still, Adat Ami Synagogue and Congregation Beth Tefilah merged, forming a new congregation, Ohr Shalom Synagogue, which Kopikis eventually left, taking the pulpit of Ner Tamid Synagogue. 

Kopikis, a rabbi for 32 years, was presented an honorary doctorate of divinity by the Jewish Theological Seminary last year.  Ner Tamid Synagogue this last February staged a surprise party for him at Shabbat services.

In an e-mail Kopikis told jewishsightseeing.com that he has been receiving e-mails from members of the board, who said they were unaware of the differences that had been developing between him and the negotiating committee, and expressing shock.

"I'm prepared to help in every shape and form (as I offered to do many times in recent months) to facilitate a smooth transition," he added. "For the past seven years I have had the privilege and opportunity to share important and memorable moments in the life of Ner Tamid.  As Ner Tamid's rabbi, I fulfilled my duties with effort and dedication.

"We have shared times of great joy and times of loss and sorrow. We have seen our children grow and achieved the creation of our beautiful Sanctuary, establishing a permanent and strong presence in the area. But more than all the land and all the buildings, this Congregation has a unique asset: its members.  Overwhelmingly, they are wonderful, kind, dedicated, loving and caring people. I will always be grateful for the opportunity they have given me to serve as their Rabbi. I cherish the important contributions they have made in my life, and thank God each and every day for the many blessings bestowed upon me."