Rabbi Lawrence Troster
WEST CHESTER — Kesher Israel Congregation of West Chester, is welcoming Rabbi Lawrence Troster on this week. Troster was selected as the synagogue’s interim Rabbi in June this year.
Rabbinical Search Committee Chair Matt Leopold said though the committee will continue to look for a long-term Rabbi, members are looking forward to the impact he will make on the community.
“We’re excited because he’s such a great teacher and has a real understanding and passion for making current events and Torah relevant,” Leopold said. “He’s also an inspirational leader for social action.”
Regarding social action, Troster is particularly passionate about environmental and causes. In June this year he organized a march in Vatican City, thanking Pope Francis for his recent comments about climate change.
Troster is regarded as one of the nation’s leading religious environmental leaders. He founded and coordinates Shomrei Breishit: Rabbis and Cantors For the Earth. A frequent Huffington Post Contributor, he has also authored numerous articles and books on eco-theology, most recently Mekor Hayyim: A Source Book on Water and Judaism (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, 2012). He also serves as the Rabbinic Scholar-in-Residence of GreenFaith, the interfaith environmental coalition in New Jersey. He also is the creator and former director of the GreenFaith’s fellowship program.
Troster said he is looking forward to getting to know the Kesher Israel community.
“My role is to be an adviser to [the transition to a new rabbi] and to keep all the great activities of KI moving forward. To make this year a positive experience for Kesher Israel is a challenge but a really good one,” he said.
Troster has moved to West Chester with his wife, Elaine Kahn.
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