Hayamim holchim, shanah overet (2x), aval hamanginah (3x) l’olam nisheret.
The days march on, years pass, but the melody is sung forever
Israeli children’s song
I was very touched to find out that the congregation has marked the last Friday of October to celebrate my (first) ten years with Temple Sholom. I am deeply honored and look forward to the event, which may have happened by the time that you are reading this column. I would like to thank everyone involved – those who helped to plan, who attended, sent regrets, made donations, or in any way participated. (As much of what is happening is supposed to be a surprise, I regret that I cannot give any more accurate thank you’s at this time.)
However, looking back over my time here as part of this congregation, there are many I would like to thank. I have learned a great deal from each of the Presidents that I have had the privilege to work with: Cathy Gilbert - who showed me a haimische welcome as my family joined the congregation; Brett Neuhauser – who began as president just before I started as Rabbi and whom I still miss for our weekly lunches; Susan Weiseman – who was ever-present and indefatigable during her three years’ tenure; Susan Sedwin – who continues to set an example by her tireless devotion to the Temple; Mark Isack – whose passion for this community has brought it far; and Steve Saltzman – who is constantly thinking of ways to strengthen the Judaism of our congregation. I also could not have done anything without the help of the Temple staff – from Mildred Goldblatt to Barbara Cooke and Larry Berman – and I am indebted to Norman Pianko, our former educator, and Rabbi Gerald Goldman, our Rabbi Emeritus, for their guidance.
To name just these few is not intended to slight any of the past-Presidents, Trustees, committee chairs and members, congregants and families who have inspired and enlightened me as I have (hopefully) grown in the job of spiritual leader, but I would hope that you know that I have learned from each of you and treasured our interactions together.
Over the years, and not just in interviews, I have been asked why I decided to become a rabbi. Although my stock answer has been lack of imagination, the real answer is that I enjoy getting to know a child at a b’rit ceremony, watching that child grow, officiating when they become bar/bat mitzvah, hopefully meeting a fiancé/e and helping to celebrate the holiness of their marriage, and meeting a new generation at another b’rit. But I also know well that part of that role is being there in sickness and sharing sorrow and memories at a time of loss.
In that spirit, I look forward to March 15, 2012, when I will get the chance to officiate as Andrea Leitner, who was the first child I met in the congregation and my first b’rit bat here at the Temple, becomes a Bat Mitzvah. The Sunday before this Shabbat celebration, I will officiate at the b’rit bat of the youngest daughter of David and Allison Blitzer, who came to my first High HolyDay service at the Temple, asked me to marry them and then traveled with my second Confirmation class to Europe. I continue share the naches of parents as I watch their children grow – whether David Harris (now at college), one of the first B’nai Mitzvah at which I officiated, or my first Confirmation Class – Aaron Cohen (working in NYC), Sarah Gilbert (teaching in Boston), Elliot Kaplan (playing with nuclear fusion), Ricky Ringel (in the Coast Guard), Shelly Schwartz (with a lovely daughter of her own), and Lauren Scaduto (recently married). I am glad that I was there to help with the funeral of Irv Taylor, whom I did not get a chance to know, although I have studied with his widow Mildred regularly over the past decade, and Hazel Tepper, who sent my daughter, born just after we arrived, a card signed, “from the oldest member of Temple Sholom to the newest” and whom we buried this month.
My children, too, were born in this congregation and celebrated their b’ritot in this community. In October of 2012, Michelle and I hope to celebrate Avital’s becoming a Bat Mitzvah with all of you (10/13/12 – save the date). My parents have joined this congregation. We have all grown together – celebrated life’s joys, clung together at life’s sorrows, and held together to meet the challenges of being Rabbi and congregation.
As we say in Hebrew, ad me’ah v’esrim – until one hundred and twenty (which for Temple Sholom would be 2033).
