Chazzan's
Corner
My
dear Temple Israel family,
In
lieu of writing a column on some fascinating topic, I have decided
to run my June 18 address to the Temple membership.
Each
year I come before you to report on what I have accomplished over
the year. As this may be my last report to you, I would like to
give a brief report on the past 15 years I have been with you. I
have prepared roughly 150 of your children for their bar/bat
mitzvah,
and about 20 women for their N'shei
Mitzvah.
I have worked with the choir for the High Holy Days, preparing
music for them and Ellie Cohen, setting up rehearsal schedules,
mailing reminders. I have prepared the readers for the High Holy
Days, as well as worked with the youth who have led the children's
services. In response to some congregants wanting a Jewish choir,
I purchased music, and have been rehearsing and performing with Kol
Tru'ah
for
4 years.
Each
time a child or an adult gets up to read from the Torah, I helped
them prepare. I created the 7 Friday
Night
Chai
services, to introduce you to Jewish music you might otherwise not
be familiar with. When community organizations have asked for a
representative from Temple Israel to participate in Alameda city
events, either Rabbi Bennett or I, or both of us, have done so.
I have visited many of you in the hospital or at home when
you have been ill, and either officiated or co-officiated at life
cycle events. I have celebrated joyous events and I have mourned
with you. Temple Israel has been my home and my family.
In
response to the Hazon
Report, I began the Cantor's
Chanters,
preparing adults, and new adults (post bar/bat
mitzvah)
to read from the Torah once a month and I created a Healing
Service. I have taught classes on liturgy and the music of the
service. Of course, to me, as a cantor, liturgy cannot exist
without music. Teaching always requires learning. These were all
good opportunities for me to do some learning.
But
Temple Israel is not unlike other non-profit organizations. We are
suffering financially. Our shul
needed to make changes in order to dig out of this hole. Sadly,
I'm one of those changes. Although it was not my choice to leave,
I do understand the reasons: economics, a change in priorities,
maybe looking for new energy, or different energy. Temple Israel
has been my home for 15 years and I have made, I hope, lifelong
friends. I do not know exactly what I will do after I am no longer
employed here or where I will end up, but I will always think of
this place as my home. I would like to thank all of you for being
such a wonderful family. I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank the board for providing me a year to reorient
myself, to explore my options, to polish my resumé, to network.
Last
year in my report I spoke of the Hazon,
visioning, report or project. At the time I said, "There will
be some changes at Temple Israel, some of which will be made
smoothly, and some which will be much more difficult. We are all
hoping that the changes will help make Temple Israel a better
place for all of us.”
This
is how I ended my report last year. I think it is appropriate for
this year, as well:
‘Judaism
is not a passive religion. It is a way of life and a journey. We
have all begun the journey. But we cannot make this journey alone.
To make this journey successful, to live a Jewish life, we have to
help each other. That's where community comes in. Hazon
has come up with great ideas to move us forward on that journey.
With our new education czar, Mindy Myers, coordinating our
religious school, family programs, and adult education, and the
efforts of Hazon
to increase participation of our members, making Temple Israel a
more inclusive community, I see us thriving. On this journey I
pledge my full support and cooperation.
Last
year, Dan Pine, a columnist for the "J", wrote about his
Jewish studies. He quoted Rabbi Camille Angel of Sha'ar
Zahav--"Living
a Jewish life is about the long haul. 'There isn't a destination.
Even halachah
is a path. You're not getting somewhere. It's how you live day to
day, Shabbos
to Shabbos.'
I
have loved my work here at Temple Israel and felt honored to be
able to work with my friend, colleague, and Rabbi, Allen Bennett.
I hope I have served you well over the years. My hopes and prayers for the Temple Israel community: May we all live the best Jewish life possible for us.