The members of Temple Aliyah, a thriving Conservative congregation in Needham, heartily welcomed Rabbi Allison Poirier as their new senior rabbi on July 1, 2024.

David Farbman, who chaired the search committee, stated, “Rabbi Poirier is a great fit for us. As one of nearly 20 candidates in a nationwide search, she stood out as exceptional from the start. During the process we saw her natural abilities—she is smart, well-spoken, authentic, energetic, creative, and caring. She harbors a deep love of Judaism, of learning, and of serving and building community.”

When asked about her new role, Rabbi Poirier said, “I am delighted to be here and feel very warmly welcomed by all the emails, calls, and visitors who have come by. I am looking forward to meeting everyone in the community. I want to help families at all stages feel part of a strong and warm congregation that meets their spiritual, educational, and social needs.”

Aviva Jezer, president of the congregation, noted, “Our community is thrilled to welcome Rabbi Poirier as our new clergy leader. Her deep understanding of our tradition, tremendous creativity, skills and talents, and infinite energy will usher us from strength to strength as we embark upon this new era in our congregation’s rich history.”

Rabbi Poirier’s work is driven by the firmly held belief that each individual is a partner in the ongoing stewardship of creation, bringing unique gifts to this divine task, and by her passion for lifelong study. In addition, she is excited to grow the synagogue’s outreach to interfaith families.

Formerly the lead rabbi with another Conservative congregation in metro Boston, Rabbi Poirier earned a B.A. in religion, magna cum laude, from Barnard College, and a second B.A. in Talmud, cum laude, from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She was ordained by Hebrew College, where she also earned a master’s degree in Jewish education. During her years of rabbinic study, she spent a semester at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and completed a unit of clinical pastoral education at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Rabbi Poirier succeeds Rabbi Emeritus Carl Perkins, who retired after 31 years with the synagogue.

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