August 4th, 2017 12th Av, 5777 I remember walking with a college student through Yales campus when I was the Rabbinic Intern at their Hillel. We spent those 45 minutes talking through some of the things that were on her mind what major would allow
August 4th, 2017 12th Av, 5777 I remember walking with a college student through Yales campus when I was the Rabbinic Intern at their Hillel. We spent those 45 minutes talking through some of the things that were on her mind what major would allow
August 4th, 2017 12th Av, 5777
I remember walking with a college student through Yale’s campus when I was the Rabbinic Intern at their Hillel. We spent those 45 minutes talking through some of the things that were on her mind: what major would allow her to express herself best and also do the most good in the world? How did she envision her spiritual identity affecting her professional choices? I remember this conversation vividly and can recall the way that this young woman struggled with these big questions. I felt blessed to be a part of it. At the end of our conversation, she said, “Sarit, I’m so sorry for taking so much of your time away from your job.” I looked at her and said, “Ariella, this IS my job.”
One of the elements of being a rabbi that I treasure most is the ability to form relationships with people. It's one of the many blessings of the rabbinate that individuals invite me into their lives, their thinking, their questions. The past two weeks, I’ve spent more time getting to know so many of you, and it makes me even more excited about what is to come. Whether it’s been over a cup of coffee, in a committee meeting, planning your life-cycle event, schmoozing after minyan, or at kiddush after shul, the time I’ve spent getting to know this community has affirmed how special everyone here is. I am so grateful that you are all the people that make my work here already so fulfilling.
We wanted to make sure that I got the opportunity to meet all of you, and I hope you will join one of four Meet and Greets throughout the coming weeks. My husband Abe and I are looking forward to hearing your stories and understanding what’s important to you about the Beth Sholom community. These Meet and Greets will be an important time for me to know what you care about and what you hope we can accomplish together with me as the rabbi at Beth Sholom. Please click here to sign up for one of the Meet and Greets (please note that one of them is this coming Tuesday!). All of the information you need is on that website, and of course, call the shul if you have any questions. These sessions are for Beth Sholom members, and we will plan one final Meet and Greet at the synagogue that will be open to all.
I look forward to seeing many of you over Shabbat, particularly at my first Starbucks Shabbat. The session will be called, “How am I Supposed to Love God?!,” and we’ll explore together the first commandment that comes from the v’ahavta component of the Shema (which is in this week’s parsha!). I’m excited to learn with you and hear your thoughts during this text study.
