Standing on the Bimah with a Wonderful Partner ...

I often say that I am the luckiest Rabbi in the world ... and I mean it.  Tonight was another example of being at a great place in my life with great people. 

When a Rabbi retires from a congregation, they sometimes "disappear" to give the new Rabbi "space" to establish themselves within their new community ... tonight, I am particularly thankful that Rabbi Shapiro accepted my invitation to lead S'lichot services with me. 

A consummate gentleman, he has been nothing but supportive of my rabbinate here in West Palm Beach.  More importantly, I believe the two of us leading services together was a wonderful showing of continuity here at Temple Israel ... and so, as we begin the new year together, my prayer for our entire Temple Israel community is that we all can continue to learn from him, and with him, for many years to come.  : )

Discombobulation ...

Psychologists say that moving and starting a new job are two of the most stressful activities a person can undertake.  (I believe marriage, divorce, and death of a loved one are the others included in the top five.)  While learning the names of new streets, new people, and new places has definitely been an adventure, I think the most interesting part of beginning my new position at Temple Israel of West Palm Beach has been stepping into people's ongoing narratives. 

I have to remember that I jumped into folks' lives mid-stream.  They were in the middle of summer vacation, in the middle of illness, and the middle of their jobs.  I've jumped into a synagogue going through transition for several years now, where folks are excited about beginning anew, yet really it is also mid-stream since synagogue communities are always in the process of re-newing themselves. 

Trying to get "caught up to speed" regarding not only people's lives, while also learning the how-to's of "how things have been done" has been challenging ... and, despite my best efforts to be intentional about learning it all as fast as I could, I have to admit that I've accidentally missed a few things here and there along the way.  Yes, there have been a couple of potholes, small ones, but potholes nonetheless.  Unfortunately, these (thankfully few) accidental gaffes have been minor, but they have reinforced the idea of the importance of narrative in my life ... and the challenges of jumping in mid-stream into someone else's.

My hope is that folks will engage in the teachings of the month of Elul and realize that these gaffes and, more importantly, any differences in the ways are now done are not personal .. and that they realize they have also jumped into my life mid-stream.  There will be a "new normal" here at Temple Israel while we figure each other out and it will take a little bit of patience to build trust with each other ... but we will figure each other out. 

I looked at the calendar today and realized it has been a tad more than 2 months since I moved from Texas to Florida ... I also reminded myself to have a little patience because it will take a little longer than I expected before I feel like I didn't step in mid-stream and before I feel like I am part of the story.  However, I am confident that, working together, I will become part of, and we will build, a great new narrative for Temple Israel.   : )

What is the Meaning of Labor Day These Days?

Labor Day has become a day full of sales, with everyone looking for the best deal on pretty much everything.  But today, I stopped to think about the meaning behind the day, and thought about how the union my dad belonged to negotiated a contract with my dad's employer that put braces on my teeth and gave our family good enough health insurance such that when his heart began to give out, he received good medical care which eventually meant he received a new heart.  Without his union membership, I'm not sure these things would have been available to me and my family. 

Labor Day celebrates the accomplishments of the American worker to organize himself with others to ensure a safe workplace and to earn a fair wage.  This is so much more meaningful than Labor Day being all about getting a good deal at a sale.  Food for thought.

"Teamsmanship" . . .

Watching the Olympics always moves me and, like many, Women's Gymnastics is a sport that often makes me cry. 

When the All-Around finalists were named, I saw the disappointment following years of training to reach an unreached goal, yet I saw an admirable display of courage following.  Then, last night, as a teammate reached for gold, I saw the mark of sportsmanship as the team member not allowed to compete cheered the other two on.  To me, this was the mark of one committed to "teamsmanship" over individual glory and is something to be admired.

Today, our congregation begins a new chapter of its worship life as we welcome our new Cantorial Soloist, Michelle Auslander Cohen, as a member of the Temple Israel team.  Seeing two women on the bimah will be different for many.  Folks have even asked, will members accept this and, yes, they will.  The team on the bimah may look different, but our community will be transformed by our newest team member's beautiful voice ... and tonight we will all pray together as a community.  May this be the first of many beautiful Shabbatot we share together.   : )