The Image Within
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Of late, I have thought long and hard about the vocation of religious leadership. I am increasingly of the opinion that the role of clergy or any Jewish educator is a form of spiritual mentoring. From a parenting perspective and from a managerial perspective, I am totally convinced of this. Lives can be molded, skills can be honed, and we are all ever works in progress, but the great “win” we seek is that those around us are nurtured and nudged forward in their quest towards finding the best version of their true selves. One cannot seek to make anyone – a child, an employee, or a student – someone they are not. Such a project will inevitably lead to failure and frustration on both sides. The task of religious mentoring is one of empowerment towards the goal of self-knowledge. To help an individual find the keys to his or her own soul, to find that image of God implanted deep within, and let that person give expression to his or her distinctive voice amidst the chorus of humanity.
Cantor Ben Ellerin and Rabbi Leah Loeterman, to the degree that Cantor Schwartz and I have been able, we have sought to provide each of you with a road map to your best selves, now newly ordained clergy for the Jewish people. You have served our community with distinction as interns, and on behalf of the entire congregation, we thank you, applaud your contributions, and wish you every success in the journey ahead. We have tried our best to provide you with the tools towards self-actualization. The goal has not been to make you “mini-Azis” or “mini-Elliots.” Rather we hope that we have given you the support, the community, and the mentoring to enable you to find your distinct voice as a cantor and as a rabbi.
Cantor Ellerin, by virtue of my vocal abilities (or lack thereof), I am forever one step removed from the music department. But what a joy it has been to see you lead our community. Whether you were conducting the Congregational Singers or working with our youth choir, I have admired your ability to draw out the song of every Jew with whom you work. The quality of your voice, the creativity and precision of your musicianship – you have led us so ably. Be it your Ahavah rabbah or Birkat ha-hodesh – staples of our synagogue and undoubtedly others – you have, in the best tradition of the cantorate, renewed classical compositions for a new generation.
Rabbi Loeterman, on more occasions than I can count, your leadership at Park Avenue Synagogue has drawn out Jewish souls no matter how hidden they may be: from the teens at the food pantry, bnei mitzvah students, families in a moment of loss, a classroom of students enraptured by your presence. Our community will not soon forget the Women’s Network Shabbat last December, when you, in partnership with Cantor Lissek, prompted countless women to consider the mitzvah of tallit. It is not just that you are gifted with a distinctive voice of rabbinic leadership, but your rabbinic leadership has enabled so many of our community to find themselves in the tapestry of our tradition. And if you will allow me a moment of personal indulgence, in your presence I find myself seeking to be the best version of my own self, as a rabbi, mentor and friend. For that, I will be ever grateful.
Both you, Cantor Ellerin, and you, Rabbi Loeterman, have impacted this community in ways we could not have imagined when you first entered our lives. We are so grateful to you for your leadership, but most importantly, for revealing to us the possibilities within us all. May you know only success in the coming chapters of your lives and may you always know the ongoing support of our community.
In the Torah reading of the week ahead, we will encounter the priestly blessing, the most ancient benediction on record for our people. It does, of course, call on God to bless us and be gracious unto us. But the radiance it bestows is not only external. It is a radiance that emanates from within, that sacred moment when God’s image is brought into full relief in our countenance and in our deeds. Ben and Leah, Cantor Ellerin and Rabbi Loeterman, as we thank you, as we send you on your way and as we bless you going forward, may the fullness of God’s presence always shine forth, and may each of you, in your journey ahead, cause Torah to shine forth from all those lucky enough to be drawn into the circle of your embrace.