Northern minister to quit after 30 years

Joel Portnoy has announced he will stand down as the Hale community's rabbi in the next few years to make aliyah.

Addressing congregants at Hale’s 40^th anniversary celebration on Sunday night, which also marked his 30 years of service, Rabbi Portnoy said he was making the announcement now to allow for a “smooth transition for this vibrant community.

“After 30 years in the rabbinate, [wife] Ruthie and I are looking forward to new opportunities awaiting us in Israel. It has been our pleasure to live and work with really wonderful people and we are sure that we will keep in touch with all of them when we eventually leave Hale.”

Over three decades, the rabb has overseen the construction of many new facilities and established an active adult education programme.