25 Years Together

Leadership, Trust, and the Power of Community

On Friday, May 29, 6:00 pm at Temple, Washington Hebrew Congregation will celebrate a remarkable milestone: 25 years of leadership from Rabbi Susan N. Shankman and Cantor Susan R.A. Bortnick.

For both, the anniversary is less about longevity and more about what those years have made possible.

“It’s a lifetime,” Rabbi Shankman reflected. “I don’t know that I ever imagined we would be sitting here together 25 years later in the roles that we are in now.”

Cantor Bortnick agreed. “When you’re starting out, you don’t think that far ahead. There are too many life changes that could alter your path. I never thought we would be sitting here as senior clergy together.”

A Shared Journey

In a profession where movement between congregations is common, their shared 25-year tenure is rare.

“There’s a standard path of moving from place to place,” Rabbi Shankman said. “I feel really blessed to have been able to be in one place. It’s a unique experience — not just for us, but for our families.”

That continuity has shaped their leadership in profound ways.

“It’s allowed us to get to know the congregation in a different way,” Cantor Bortnick said. “There’s a depth of relationship that comes from staying.”

When Cantor Bortnick first arrived, she was the congregation’s first assistant cantor. “No one really knew what my role would be,” she recalled.
“I certainly didn’t think I would stay for 25 years and grow into the senior cantor position.”

A Moment of Change

Their arrival also marked a turning point for women serving as clergy at Washington Hebrew.

“There had only been one female rabbi in 150 years, and she directly preceded us.” Rabbi Shankman said. “Then suddenly there were three women on the clergy team. It changed things — and also made it not a big deal. It just became who we were.”

There were adjustments along the way. “At first, we could only wear skirt suits or dresses — no pants,” Cantor Bortnick noted. “Eventually that evolved.”

But what mattered most was how they were seen.

“We were clergy,” Rabbi Shankman emphasized. “It didn’t matter our gender.”

Growth and Transformation

Over the past 25 years, Washington Hebrew has undergone significant transformation — particularly in worship and community life.

“When we arrived, Friday night services were at 8:45 pm,” Rabbi Shankman said. “It was a very different culture.”

“It made for very long days, especially for families,” Cantor Bortnick added.

Change came gradually, through experimentation and listening.

“We tried different times, gathered feedback, and adjusted,” Rabbi Shankman said. “It took a long time to get to where we are now.”

But the transformation went far beyond scheduling.

“One of the most gratifying changes is seeing Washington Hebrew become a home for our families,” Cantor Bortnick said. “Clergy families live in a fishbowl. It’s not always easy. But here, our families truly love being part of this community. That’s not a given.”

Building Community — Together

A defining element of their leadership has been a commitment to collaboration.

“We moved away from ‘if you build it, they will come,’” Rabbi Shankman explained. “Instead, we said: let’s build it together.”

By engaging congregants directly — asking what worked, what didn’t, and what they wanted — the clergy helped shape a more inclusive and participatory culture.

“We work in concert with one another,” Cantor Bortnick said. “It’s a communal effort.”

That philosophy extends to their partnership as well.

“We’ve shared a tremendous amount,” Rabbi Shankman said. “Life moments, family milestones — everything in between.”

Over the past two decades, WHC has moved away from a formal, classical Reform synagogue.

“We’ve been through the entire transition of watching WHC change from 25 years ago together,” Cantor Bortnick added. “That creates a foundation of trust.”

More Than Worship

Both leaders point to the transformation of worship as a major accomplishment — but they are equally proud of what happens beyond the service.

“I used to watch people come in, attend services, and leave without ever speaking to another person,” Rabbi Shankman said.

Creating a deeper sense of connection became a priority.

“It can never be just about the clergy,” she said. “It has to be about people connecting, feeling seen, and feeling valued.”

Today, that sense of connection is woven into the fabric of the congregation — before, during, and after services.

Looking Ahead

Even after 25 years, neither is slowing down.

“We don’t sit on our laurels,” Cantor Bortnick said. “We’re always asking how we can do things better or more meaningfully.”

“There will be change,” Rabbi Shankman added, “but it will be rooted in our history.”

That balance — honoring tradition while embracing evolution — has defined their leadership and will continue to shape the future of Washington Hebrew.

A Celebration of Relationships

As the congregation prepares to celebrate this milestone, both leaders are clear about what matters most.

“It’s not really about us,” Rabbi Shankman said. “It’s about the relationships and the community we’ve built.”

“It’s a privilege to serve this congregation and to serve it together.” Cantor Bortnick added. “A true gift.”

On May 29, that gift — and the community behind it — will take center stage.

RSVP for this event and be sure to get your tribute message for their commemorative gift in by Friday, May 1.

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