Why a Rabbi?
Why belong to a Synagogue?
When the Mishnah
asks us to “acquire a rabbi,” it means that every Jew
must establish a relationship of trust with a particular rabbi
who will serve the congregation in the understanding of Jewish
law and life and advisor/explorer in issues of choice. This is
easiest if one is a member of a congregation that has a rabbi,
who is “your trusted” rabbi. The operative word here is
“trusted.” Any rabbi may be knowledgeable, but when you
belong to a congregation with a “trusted” rabbi, life
issues and decisions of great emotional magnitude can lift a
burden off your conscience.
Medical studies
have shown that those who have a religious affiliation tend to
live longer than those who do not. In other words, as a member of
CBA, the stats say that you are more likely to live longer than
those Jews who are not members. (If you know any unaffiliated
Jews in the area, please let them know of the health benefits
that come with membership!) The synagogue provides a secure place
for those who are exploring life and Judaism.
Here are some
questions to ponder:
What would it be like if our life-long stalwarts stopped
supporting the congregation? What would it be like if the day
after their youngest child becomes Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the family no
longer affiliates? Is there a place for those who consciously
chose not to support and not to contribute during
their lifetimes? If people show up just once in a while, or even
not at all, can there be a guarantee that the synagogue will
continue for the next generation? Special thanks to Co-
Presidents Harry Freeman and Steve Feltman who have been thorough
and thoughtful in their charge as Presidents, Karen Groenstein,
Linnea Gilbert, Harry Freeman as Treasurer, and the entire board,
who have been more than dutiful in their charge as officers and
board members, their commitment is unyielding. To Marla
Adelsberger and her dedication, who has stepped into the large
vacancy left by the death of longtime, dedicated Ritual Chair
Herb Blutt, to Ted Groenstein who has gone the extra mile and
beyond to maintain our building to a standard we have come to
expect, to Laura Broxterman for maintaining a good read through The
Kol, to Stacy Kowaluk and Debbie Lopez who have helped us
maintain a high standard of learning in our Religious School, to
Marla Adelsberger and Stacy Kowaluk for our continued delicious
Shabbat Dinners, to Marcia Heneson who, with her fundraising
committee, has helped to bridge the income-expense gap, and to
Jane Hurwitz for her “Ahm-en players” – our very
own klezmer band.
We
appreciate our Board and general membership who have helped in
volunteering in the office, with Sukkah and tables set-up, and
other needs around the synagogue.
We
look forward to our incoming administration and, as always, the
leadership can count on my support, as I am committed to our
success.As we know, we all need to work together, to cooperate
and to be considerate of each other. We all have a part to play
to ensure our continuation. By attending our fundraisers, by
bringing prospective members to our services or programs so they
can see what we are about, you demonstrate and model your pride
in our congregation. Your participation is the best membership
advertisement there is.Be thankful. Appreciate the commitment of
our members. Membership is about “belonging!”
As
Rabbi of CBA for 9 years, I share a commitment with an
extraordinary group of people in exploring how Judaism can work
in our lives.
Each of us is on
that journey and each is searching for that place where the Voice
of the Eternal and Light of Lights meets the needs of the
community.
Rabbi Alan
Lefkowitz
congbethahm@sbcglobal.net