Goodbye to Rabbi Ratner

Our beloved Rabbi Robert Ratner retired at the beginning of 2008 after 16 years of devoted service. On Sunday, March 9th the congregation honored him and his wonderful wife Susan with festivities at the temple

Rabbi Robert and Susan Ratner with MC Scott Lebensburger

A proclamation from the City of Asheville is read and presented by Mayor Terry Bellamy

Rabbi and Susan Ratner are flanked by seven of the eight Beth HaTephila presidents who served during the rabbi's tenure.

From left: Pete Gretz, Howard Jaslow, Ed Fidelman, Frank Gilreath, Gil Kempenich, Charles Gershon, Scott Lebensburger. Not shown: Joe Karpen.

Nicki Benatan makes presentation on behalf of Sisterhood

Arnie Sgan makes presentation on behalf of Brotherhood

Rabbi Robert Cabelli of Congregation Beth Israel

Director of the Asheville Jewish Community Center, Heather Goldstein

Dr. Richard Chess, Professor of Literature and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at UNC-A

More presentations, and a most devoted fan, J. Edward Wiley

GOODBYE, RABBI RATNER