Comments (0)This Time of Year
January 01, 2010Phil Jacobs
Executive Editor
At year’s close, I just want to do what I have done in the past, if you’ll excuse me.
That is, to say thank you to a few people in the community, nothing big or huge-just a hug — for showing me that the real Jewish characteristic of loving and helping each other is in carrying out HaShem’s work right in front of us.
First, I want to thank Rabbi Aryeh and Bracha Goetz for everything they do under the radar screen for the entire Jewish community. Rabbi Goetz, not only in his professional status by helping people through CHAI secure housing, but also because he brings spiritual healing and guidance to the residents of Jewish Recovery Houses.
His wife Bracha Goetz, a writer and author of note, does an amazing job of matching children and adults as part of the Jewish Big Brothers and Sisters League.
I will add here that the times I spend with my own little brother, Mickey, are some of the most meaningful and fun times I can have. Mickey may think he’s gaining something by being with me, but the truth is: Mickey, you make my day every day that I’m with you.
It’s appropriate to think of the volunteers of Shomrim with whom I have the pleasure of volunteering . There are so many of these young men who give hours and hours and hours of their time. They go by the names of Heshy, Azi, Crusty, Alf, Mike D. and Yitzy. There is Nate, Ronnie, Danny, Avi and Jason, and so many more. They have been a blessing to this community and have helped keep it safe.
I want to thank Stanley Drebbin, the owner of Goldberg’s Bagels, for giving me and my colleague Neil Rubin “extra” office space for our Friday morning meetings. I also want to give a shout out to our friend Jeff Stern and to the other guys who are there to offer their quiet comments and advice.
Speaking of Jeff, who I have known since my days at BBYO, thank you to Shelbie Hafter Wassel, who organized a reunion for BBYO-ers of the ’60s and early ’70s. The event was held last summer at Temple Emanuel, and it was amazing to see people I have frozen in time as teen-agers, now in their middle age.
Just prior to Rosh Hashanah, the Shofar Coalition, in conjunction with the Board of Rabbis, the Associated and the BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES, sponsored a healing service at the Park Heights JCC for survivors of the trauma of abuse.
So many heroes came out of that service: Elaine Whitman of the Shofar Coalition, Nancy Aiken of CHANA, Rabbi Dana Saroken of Congregation Beth El, Rabbi Amy Scheinerman of Beth Shalom in Carroll County, Rabbi Gila Ruskin of Temple Adas Shalom in Havre De Grace. There were survivors who spoke who now seem part of my family — Hillel, Leslie, Jen, Julie, Yacov, Murray, Randy, Tracey and Marci.
There is one person I want to single out even more if I could. This person is leaving us soon with his family to make aliyah.
Rabbi Elan Adler, of the Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation, had a difficult, courageous, heroic year. He also spoke at the Healing Service. He is the rabbi who succeeded Rabbi Jacob A. Max, the icon for many in Jewish Baltimore, who let so many of us down with his conviction on misdemeanors for sexual improprieties. It was Rabbi Adler who got up one day last summer and talked the truth with his congregation. It was Rabbi Adler who helped in many ways keep his congregation “together” and for sure worked in the best way he could with the rest of the questioning community.
Lastly, I want to mention the names of “Esther” and “Ruth,” two heroes in Judaism. These were also the pseudonyms of two women who were the first to come forward in the Rabbi Max case. They were inspirations.
As are many of you.
Finally, to my friend Julie, who taught me not to be bitter, but better, may the year 2010 be a year of dignity for us all.