I sometimes find myself revisiting my reasons to pursue the
rabbinate.
I didn’t start, in earnest, until my
senior year in high school. I enjoyed
my involvement in Youth Group, leading a panel of my peers, the “We Speak for
Judaism Panel,” that spoke to churches in our community about the Jewish
religion and our customs, practices and traditions.
I also became more involved in adding my
own sense of spirituality through music at youth events and during special
worship services.
I couldn’t have done that without my
attendance in the National Torah Corps 7-week summer session in 1970 at the
Union of American Hebrew Congregations Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York. We
studied with rabbis who made a major impact on their communities and on
American Judaism. I had the opportunity
to learn chords for some of the worship melodies that we used in my home
congregation, which enabled me to add a new dimension to my participation in
service music, after singing for several years in the junior choir. Now, I could be a leader.
Those pursuits continued at the University
of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where I ultimately chose sociology as my
major, and religious studies as my minor. I engaged in the study of Hebrew and
Judaism in a number of college courses that further stablished my foundation of
Jewish knowledge. As a senior in
college, the Hillel rabbi and other leaders chose me to be the inaugural intern
in a new leadership development program.
I read books on Jewish thought, led a weekly Shabbat dinner at a
dormitory, and co-directed the Hillel choir.
After an interview at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
in Cincinnati, in January of 1976, I was informed of my acceptance at the end
of March.
After five years of rabbinic school, and
38 years serving congregations, I continue to ponder what drew me to the
rabbinate. It was always about my own
comfort with Temple life and Jewish tradition.
The music was part of it, but so were the prayers, the teachings, and
being part of a community. And, even
more, it was about service and partnership.
I valued learning from mentors when I was an assistant rabbi in my first
congregation, but I also have had many partners in making Judaism come alive,
lay leaders who were committed to sustaining and enhancing the well-being of a
community. We did what we could to
overcome challenges that arose in order to create a sense of joy among our
members and an enduring and positive presence in the community.
Our recent family visit to Kansas City and
Topeka reminded me of all of those reasons for being a rabbi, as we had a
chance to connect with former Temple presidents, confirmands, congregants,
community members, and friends. We also
connected with family, who have supported not one, not two, but three Rabbis
Karol.
As a rabbi, I enjoy my interactions with
members of all ages, as well as my participation in the greater community.
Temple Beth-El’s place in Las Cruces, and
mine as well, came to mind on July 23, 2019.
On that day, I attended the installation
of the new bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, Peter
Baldacchino. I began attending the
diocese-sponsored luncheon that mostly included priests from around the state
and some of Bishop Baldacchino’s friends.
I was impressed with the humility exuded by the religious leaders who
were present, and the obvious camaraderie that pervaded the gathering.
At the installation, I joined Pastor Jared Carson, spiritual
leader at Peace Lutheran Church, and the Rev. Dr. Margaret Short, chaplain at
Memorial Medical Center, in representing the interfaith community to greet the
newly-installed Bishop.
The service included many moments of
celebration, which generated a special spirit among all those who were
present. I saw and greeted a number of
people with whom I have worked over the last eight years. The theme of service was reflected in the
statements of the installation speakers and in the songs that were included in
the ceremony.
What surprised me was the gratitude that
was expressed to me by people I didn’t know, over and over. They appreciated that I was there,
representing the Jewish community. I
also think that they see something spiritual, valuable, significant and godly
in furthering Catholic-Jewish ties in a world that seems to seek division
rather than commonality, prejudice rather than acceptance.
And
it wasn’t only for me that I attended. I
took you all with me through my presence. That is the essence of rabbinic service to a congregation. It is about the “we” that we create and
sustain whether we are together or apart.
As we begin to prepare in the coming
weeks for a new Jewish year, may we
remember to connect, celebrate, study, sing, and believe that the community
which we create can take us to joy, healing, and hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment