By Deb Silverthorn
June 26, 2028

Plano — Rabbi Stefan Weinberg, the founding leader of Congregation Anshai Torah, will present his last sermon before becoming rabbi emeritus on Saturday, June 28, during Shabbat morning services beginning at 9:30 a.m. Appreciating the past and looking to the future, Rabbi Weinberg approaches this season with grace and gratitude, honor and respect.

“I feel extraordinarily appreciative of my life and all that being a part of Anshai Torah has meant to me,” Weinberg said. “I’ve always loved being around people, and my rabbinate has allowed me to do that every day.

“The rabbinate is a unique profession that allows one to be present with people at life’s most significant moments,” he added. “It’s been my honor to guide with a Jewish compass and to help people appreciate how the presence of G-d can ground, inspire and comfort us.”

Rabbi Weinberg, the son of Liddy and Jerome Weinberg, of blessed memory, and brother of Jefry (Alla) Weinberg and Jacqui (Larry) Elkus, is a native Michigander from West Branch, where theirs was the only Jewish family. They commuted 60 miles to Bay City’s Temple Israel, where Rabbi Jossef Kratzenstein and his wife, Rachel, of blessed memory, were integral in his Jewish connections and ultimately his profession.

A University of Michigan graduate, Rabbi Weinberg met Wende, his future wife, while studying at the University of Judaism during his first two years of rabbinical school. He completed his studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary where, in 1984, he received his rabbinic ordination and, in 2011, an honorary Doctor of Divinity. After his ordination, the Weinbergs arrived in Dallas, where he served as assistant rabbi at Congregation Shearith Israel until 1988 and then as associate rabbi from 1990 until 1998. During the interim, he served at Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

The Weinberg family grew through Danielle, Jordana and Adina, with the additions of sons-in-law Gilad Zubery and Mitchell Stein, and grandchildren Ariel, Maya and Noa Zubery. Since marrying Dr. Yaffa Podbilewicz in 2021, the family has expanded to include her children: Ygal and Kimberly Schuller and their daughter, Talia Schuller; Eliana Schuller and fiancé Aaron Cohen; and Yael Schuller.

In 1998, members of Congregation Anshai Emet and Congregation Shomray Torah merged, forming Congregation Anshai Torah with Weinberg as its first rabbi. Since then, the congregation has grown to more than 550 families, with a preschool, auxiliaries including HAZAK, Men’s Club and Sisterhood, a religious school and more.

Korach, the June 28 Torah portion, teaches of those who contested Moses and Aaron to their own demise. The portion speaks to the dangers of challenging authority and the importance of respecting leadership. To that, Rabbi Weinberg feels secure in Anshai Torah’s future.

“For nearly 27 years, we’ve had a remarkable relationship between our Klei Kodesh and lay leadership. Our congregation is defined by our willingness to respect and listen to each other, and we’ve been blessed with the right people stepping forward at the right time,” Weinberg said. “Our trust and confidence — always a sacred bond.”

Of Rabbi Michael Kushnick, who joined Anshai Torah 12 years ago, Weinberg said, “I know he is more than prepared, and I have no question about his ability to move the congregation forward into its next chapter. He has demonstrated his desire to lead; he has his own vision for the shul; and I believe the shul membership is ready to follow his leadership.”

Weinberg’s confidence is strengthened with the addition in 2024 of Rabbi Helene Kornsgold as director of lifelong learning and, this fall, of Hazzan Matt Austerklein — the congregation’s first cantor. He is also exceedingly proud of the congregation’s staff and their commitment.

“People have worked diligently to establish, maintain and grow Anshai Torah. No one works in a vacuum. From our Hesed Committee to our gabbai, we have been blessed with a team of unparalleled members,” he said. “I couldn’t have been successful without the love and support of so many, beginning with my dear family — Wende and my girls, Gilad and Mitchell, Yaffa, our newly expanded family. They, our professional team and the shul board have all coalesced to make my ‘job’ a labor of love.”

Weinberg said his bucket list included the five family trips he’s led to Israel, and trips to Europe and Argentina. This fall, Anshai Torah will travel to Portugal and Spain and, during winter break, again to Israel.

“Walking in Israel, taking young children’s hands in my own to create lifelong bonds is something I’ll never forget,” he said. “Little does more to solidify the roots and bonds within families, and to our congregational community, than wandering with kippot on our heads, benching together after meals and the experience of the powerful honor of being a Jew. Together we’ve endeavored to nurture Jewish pride.”

Anshai Torah’s family has celebrated joyful moments of growth and simchas — of a new home and sanctuary, new Torahs, stained-glass windows, mosaic menorah artwork, its illustrated Torah and more. There have also been times of loss and pain — a Sept. 11 minyan just days after a parade to CAT’s new home on Parker Road, the passing of Wende, and gatherings commemorating the tragedies in 2018 at the Tree of Life Congregation and in Israel in October 2023.

Plano will remain home for the Weinbergs, and the rabbi fully expects to maintain the relationships that have touched his life.

“It’s been a blessing to be a rabbi, and to be a rabbi at Anshai Torah. I did so by standing on the shoulders of many who inspired me,” he said. “It’s truly been one of the greatest honors of my life to nurture, guide and inspire others since the beginning. The pieces are certainly in place for Anshai to thrive and to continue from strength to strength.”

From Pirkei Avot, we learn: “A teacher can help you become your best self, inspire you, and show you what you can know.”

Anshai Torah has had that teacher in Rabbi Stefan Weinberg — in and of his very best.