Hadn't done any maintenance in a while (not that this little corner of the interwebs requires much maintenance), but I noticed that the Co-Stars blog had been essentially turned off, its content removed. I'm really sorry to see it go; STAR was an amazing organization filled with really committed people and while the programs they ran (Synaplex, PEER, Good to Great) are either gone or transformed, I suspect what they were promoting will have long lasting influences on my generation of rabbis and volunteers.
In the meantime, I've added a new blog, my friend Ilan Emmanuel as the Sci-Fi Rabbi. As a pretty hardcore sci-fi nerd (friend 1: "Kirk was the first captain of the Enterprise, right?" Friend 2: "no, it was Christopher Pike." Me:"...actually, it was Robert April." Yes, I know these things.) and as someone interested in how good science fiction intersects with Jewish tradition viz. storytelling, I'm curious to see how this all unfolds.
On a totally different note, I shlepped back up to Shir Ami in Newtown today to bring a convert to Mikveh. It's one of my favorite rituals and it's always a joy to welcome someone into Jewish tradition (he had already completed beit din and hatafat dam brit, or the drop of blood required for those who are already circumcised) but it was an added bonus to be able to say hello and catch up, even briefly, with the people I worked with--and still consider my friends. I was glad to see what was the same and glad to see what was different (I still can't get over the new carpet in the religious school wing, though. Nice), and just left happy (albeit rushed to make my next appointment) and with a sense of really being blessed to do amazing work with such amazing people. And then I hit Philadelphia traffic. Sigh.
Showing posts with label Shir Ami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shir Ami. Show all posts
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Installation
So tomorrow I will be installed in the job I've been doing the last several months.
Installation is a funny thing. For one, it's a funny word to use for the employment (or I suppose, authorization) of a rabbi for a community. I suppose it's less pretentious than "ascension" or "we do whatever he says now" (which would, of course, be a patent lie), but it does sound like the installing rabbi should be bringing a hammer and nails or something.
There's an interesting commentary here about the nature of the installation. The short version: we put a lot of emphasis on celebrating a rabbi who hasn't really done anything yet and who's relationship with the congregation is still nascent. I don't go with the author's thesis that it somehow is supposed to 'put the congregation in their place' or otherwise assuage the leadership of their guilt when they undermine the rabbi's authority. I do think we spend a lot of effort on the transitional moments, and that's a good thing.
Mind you, I'm not personally comfortable with this kind of stuff--as I've said a few times, I'm interested in the work and doing the work and don't expect or look for recognition. But for a congregation--especially one that has had very consistent and long lasting leadership--acknowledging these moments becomes critical, in the same way any life cycle event is critical to the life of the individual.
So tomorrow will be a good and, hopefully, joyous day. With the Emeritus installing, my father leading the service, and people from Shir Ami and CBE present, it should be a really lovely moment. I'm especially looking forward to seeing people from so many different parts of my rabbinate, who have shaped me and continue to inspire me. And I'll be missing those who can't make it: coworkers, teachers, friends.
Below is the congregational charge the past and current president will be reciting, along with the congregation, which better speaks to this moment than any other blather I could share. Hopefully we'll all live up to each others' expectations...
As a rabbi in Israel
As a teacher of Torah to our congregation
Our hope for you is holiness;
Our prayer for you a sacred reflection
of the purpose towards which we all strive.
Be among those who cherish the truth,
Who banish falsehood with their faith.
Be a teacher of sacred words with your deeds.
Guide our children that they may grow
to appreciate the timeless legacy of Jewish living.
Be the same, within and without –
searching with your heart,
and strengthening us with your hands.
Aspire always to be loving, compassionate, humane and hopeful.
Become the prayer for goodness that is ever upon your lips.
Be Yisrael – a model of the sacred struggle we all must embrace.
Be Yisrael – a bearer of God’s goodness;
A blessing to all whose lives you touch.
Installation is a funny thing. For one, it's a funny word to use for the employment (or I suppose, authorization) of a rabbi for a community. I suppose it's less pretentious than "ascension" or "we do whatever he says now" (which would, of course, be a patent lie), but it does sound like the installing rabbi should be bringing a hammer and nails or something.
There's an interesting commentary here about the nature of the installation. The short version: we put a lot of emphasis on celebrating a rabbi who hasn't really done anything yet and who's relationship with the congregation is still nascent. I don't go with the author's thesis that it somehow is supposed to 'put the congregation in their place' or otherwise assuage the leadership of their guilt when they undermine the rabbi's authority. I do think we spend a lot of effort on the transitional moments, and that's a good thing.
Mind you, I'm not personally comfortable with this kind of stuff--as I've said a few times, I'm interested in the work and doing the work and don't expect or look for recognition. But for a congregation--especially one that has had very consistent and long lasting leadership--acknowledging these moments becomes critical, in the same way any life cycle event is critical to the life of the individual.
So tomorrow will be a good and, hopefully, joyous day. With the Emeritus installing, my father leading the service, and people from Shir Ami and CBE present, it should be a really lovely moment. I'm especially looking forward to seeing people from so many different parts of my rabbinate, who have shaped me and continue to inspire me. And I'll be missing those who can't make it: coworkers, teachers, friends.
Below is the congregational charge the past and current president will be reciting, along with the congregation, which better speaks to this moment than any other blather I could share. Hopefully we'll all live up to each others' expectations...
As a rabbi in Israel
As a teacher of Torah to our congregation
Our hope for you is holiness;
Our prayer for you a sacred reflection
of the purpose towards which we all strive.
Be among those who cherish the truth,
Who banish falsehood with their faith.
Be a teacher of sacred words with your deeds.
Guide our children that they may grow
to appreciate the timeless legacy of Jewish living.
Be the same, within and without –
searching with your heart,
and strengthening us with your hands.
Aspire always to be loving, compassionate, humane and hopeful.
Become the prayer for goodness that is ever upon your lips.
Be Yisrael – a model of the sacred struggle we all must embrace.
Be Yisrael – a bearer of God’s goodness;
A blessing to all whose lives you touch.
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