AUBURN – After several years without a rabbi, Temple Shalom Synagogue-Center wants to celebrate.

So when the congregation gathers tonight for its regular evening service, Hillel Katzir will be officially installed as rabbi.

Cantor Hazzan David Silverstein of San Antonio, Texas, will officiate over the installation, which will last about 15 minutes, Katzir said. And the congregation is planning a reception to follow.

“It’s an occasion to celebrate the community,” said Katzir, who has led the congregation for about 21 months, first as a cantor. In June, he was ordained at the Rabbinical Seminary International of New York City.

“Before I came, Temple Shalom was without rabbinical leadership for several years,” Katzir said. Now, there’s a lot going on. They’re bringing in new members.

“It’s an occasion to celebrate the community,” he said. “I hope everyone in the area who is a part of the Jewish community, or has thought about being a part of the Jewish community, will come join us for this occasion.”

It’s also a personal celebration for the 55-year-old leader.

Cantor Silverstein, who will officiate over the installation, is a friend and mentor. Katzir’s brother, David Kurz, has traveled from Israel to attend the ceremony, and the rabbi’s oldest daughter, Mika, has come from Texas to attend.

Katzir has done traveling of his own.

For nine years, the Los Angeles native lived on kibbutzim in Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces before returning to the United States and graduating from law school in 1986.

He came to Auburn in March 2003.

Services will be held today at 7:30 p.m., and at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday in the synagogue. The public is invited to the services, this evening’s reception and a luncheon on Saturday at no charge.

While practicing law in California and New Mexico, he served as a High Holy Day cantor for congregations in Arizona, Texas, California and Iowa. He changed professions in 2001 and became the full-time cantor of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines, Iowa.

In addition to serving Temple Shalom, Rabbi Katzir is an associated chaplain of Bates College and is an active member of the Lewiston-Auburn Interfaith Clergy Association, serving as convener. He is a member of the board of directors of the Many and One Coalition, and is active on the coalition’s education committee.