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From the Rabbi's Study The Sacred Journey We Shared Saying goodbye is never easy, especially after 5 wonderful years. I have been humbled and amazed by how caring and wonderful you are. The congregation has nurtured and encouraged me on my sacred journey of the rabbinate. Since day one, you have treated me with great respect and reverence. When I met with each rabbinical candidate, a few months ago, I shared with them that Beth Chaverim is a community that really cares about their rabbi. I am humbled and honored that so many individuals and families have let me into their hearts and private lives. I have been blessed that I wasn’t treated as a symbolic exemplar…a figure-head. Rather, I had the sacred gift of being a clergy person many congregants trusted, and together we shared life. As I leave Beth Chaverim, I look back to how much I have grown and learned. During my 5 years there were mistakes, learning experiences, and differences of opinions. I look back and see where at times I have been overly idealistic. While at other times I have also been impatient, hoping that change could happen sooner than the community was ready. A few congregants, who were members when I first started, have shared how they have seen me develop and grow in ability and confidence. I also think about how I chose the correct path by starting my rabbinate in our community. I was told many times, “One should not start his rabbinate where he was a student.” However, what these mentors and teachers didn’t know was that I had found a place that was unique and really special. I do believe I have been treated with great Kavod (honor). The level of respect from both youths and adults has been tremendous. I have been given the opportunity to take chances, bring in new programs and ideas, and that I was able to figure out my rabbinic voice. Because of your love and nourishment BCRC was a very safe place for me to understand my gifts. I have learned that relationships are holy, and as sacred as the Torah itself. You have also shown me the importance of patience, and understanding that each family is on a journey. I have learned that being Jewish means different things to each person, but yet there are universal values that we share. And I was blessed to see how many members of another faith (non-Jews) help to build strong and beautiful Jewish homes. My favorite aspect has been teaching. I love welcoming families into the synagogue on Sunday morning with high-fives and hugs. Confirmation and adult education classes have been amazing. In the classroom I have been able to build relationships and trust that was not possible through other interactions. And my soul has been lifted from studying together with bar/bat mitzvah students and their families, discussing what Torah means in their lives. I have learned so much Torah from all these experiences and the other important times I have shared with our community. Thank you for the trust and love you have bestowed upon me. I will always look back fondly at this pioneering congregation, who helped me to see a new and beautiful side of Judaism. My experiences here at Beth Chaverim have strengthened my rabbinate and my life, and will help me throughout my future. Todah Rabbah v’Shalom (Thank you and goodbye),
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© Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation Ashburn, Virginia USA
