Myron S. Geller Arbitration Papers

The Myron S. Geller Arbitration Papers pertain to the proceedings surrounding the arbitration of a contract dispute between Rabbi Myron S. Geller and Temple B'nai Abraham of Beverly, Massachusetts. Geller was the rabbi at Temple B’nai Abraham from 1970 until 1977, when his contract expired. The congregation of the synagogue had voted to renew his contract the previous year, but the resulting offer from the Negotiating Committee was not in line with standards set by the United Synagogue of America. Geller declined to renew under the terms set forth, and the committee initially rejected attempts at negotiation, so Geller began to seek other employment. Talks continued into early 1977 until a second congregational meeting resulted in a vote not to renew Geller’s contract.

Arbitration was requested by Geller through the United Synagogue of America Committee on Congregational Standards in June 1977. His claim included severance pay, as stipulated in his contract, as well as a settlement for suffering, anguish, and distress due to bad-faith negotiations, wrongful infliction of harm by violating minimum standards, and impairment of professional opportunities.

Over the course of a year, lawyers from both sides debated the need for arbitration, whether arbitration was compulsory or voluntary, and which matters should be included in any arbitration that might take place. The Committee on Congregational Standards found that it could not force the temple to choose an arbitrator, so Geller appealed to the Rabbinical Assembly, which gave its support towards Geller’s efforts to compel arbitration through civil proceedings. Geller filed a Demand for Arbitration in Massachusetts Superior Court in March 1979, and six months of depositions and hearings followed.

The three-member arbitration panel decided in Geller’s favor in December 1979 and awarded him $42,813. Temple B’nai Abraham first petitioned the Superior Court to vacate the award, which was denied, and then appealed the Court’s decision. On January 27, 1981, the Massachusetts Appeals Court upheld the decision.

November 26, 1976

The congregation of Temple B'nai Abraham votes to renew Geller's employment.

January 1977

Geller receives the first offer from the Negotiating Committee and declines.

January 16, 1977

Geller receives the committee's second offer.

January 20, 1977

Geller offers a counter-proposal, which is rejected.

January 23, 1977

Geller declines the committee's second offer.

February 1, 1977

The Negotiating Committee is disbanded by the Temple Board.

February 1, 1977

The congregation votes not to renegotiate Geller's contract.

February 8, 1977

A special congregational meeting is called to reconsider negotiating Geller's contract.

February 1977

Geller provisionally accepts the Negotiating Committee's second offer, with three open issues still to negotiate.

February 21, 1977

Geller meets with the temple's president to discuss the contract.

February 23, 1977

The temple's president sends a "Fact Sheet" to the congregation prior to the congregational meeting.

February 28, 1977

The congregational meeting takes place, and the decision not to renegotiate Geller's contract is upheld.

March 3, 1977

Geller's employment is officially terminated, though he remains in his position until the end of the contracted period.

April or May 1977

Geller sends a request for arbitration to the United Synagogue of America Committee on Congregational Standards.

June 6, 1977

The United Synagogue of America Committee on Congregational Standards refuses Geller's request for arbitration.

July 13, 1977

The United Synagogue of America Committee on Congregational Standards reverses its decision of June 6 and asks both parties to choose arbitrators.

July 18, 1977

Geller chooses an arbitrator.

July 31, 1977

Geller's contract period ends.

October 12, 1977

Temple B'nai Abraham refuses arbitration for all but Geller's claim of severance pay.

October 19, 1977

A Restated Demand for Arbitration is submitted by Geller to the United Synagogue of America Committee on Congregational Standards.

February 24, 1978

A First Amended Demand for Arbitration is submitted by Geller to the United Synagogue of America Committee on Congregational Standards.

April 14, 1978

Temple B'nai Abraham again declines arbitration and refuses to name an arbitrator.

May 8, 1978

The United Synagogue of America Committee on Congregational Standards declines to choose an arbitrator on behalf of Temple B'nai Abraham.

May 1978

Geller files an Application for Appointment of Arbitrator in the Massachusetts Superior Court.

January 26, 1979

Geller submits an Application for Appointment of Third Arbitrator in the Massachusetts Superior Court.

February 2, 1979

A third arbitrator is appointed by the Massachusetts Superior Court.

March 1979

Geller files a Second Amended Demand for Arbitration in the Massachusetts Superior Court.

April 9-October 16, 1979

Arbitration hearings are held.

December 9, 1979

The arbitration panel decides in Geller's favor.

December 18, 1979

Temple B'nai Abraham submits an Application to Vacate Award of Arbitrators.

January 11, 1980

The Massachusetts Superior Court denies the Application to Vacate Award of Arbitrators.

May 1980

Temple B'nai Abraham appeals the judgments of the Superior Court in the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

January 27, 1981

The Massachusetts Appeals Court confirms the judgments of the Superior Court.