Comments (0)Do Other Rabbis Matter?
September 18, 2009Rabbi Elan Adler
Special to the Jewish Times
Right before the High Holidays, as a rabbi there is a phrase I hear many times: “Rabbi, I know you’re busy, but …”
The “but” means that even though you are drowning in sermon writing, making sure the synagogue is clean and sparkling, all the honors have been distributed, the shofar blower doesn’t have chapped lips, the kids’ programs are all staffed, the chazzan and choir have the same sheet music, and sundry other preparations … that’s all very nice, BUT I need your help.
Many people come to rabbis for all kinds of help. And the more people we know, the more who call. When people say, “Rabbi, I know you’re busy,” it’s an acknowledgment of the load that many of us bear. Now, please don’t get out your violin and pity us, because we have not cornered the market on busy. At the same time, you can reach us 24/6 and receive an airing and review of your concerns, questions, anxieties and ideas. You can reach us in so many ways. One time, while behind a shower curtain in a gym after a sweaty workout, a gentleman “knocked” on the curtain to ask me about reciting the Kaddish in a year with two Adars. That was pleasant.
Rabbis are a busy lot. So this may shock you.
I would like to be busier.
I get a lot of synagogue and organizational bulletins sent to me and each time I’m excited to see how diverse our community is and how creative the many programs and offerings are. I’m not embarrassed to say that I lift and sift; I circle some things or make notes on an activity and put it in a folder, ready for use at just the right time. But when it comes to speakers at Brotherhood and Sisterhood functions, Couples Club and Club jubilee programs, and other special activities, I see a missing piece.
Baltimore rabbis. Especially the rabbis of other congregations.
I would like to think that our community rabbis have some very unique perspectives to offer on the issues of the day. For example, what is the Jewish perspective on how we judge people, such as the Michael Jacksons and Michael Vicks and Ted Kennedys and others, who have positive and negative sides? At day’s end, what does Judaism teach about judging?
For example, is President Obama correct in making settlements in Israel a major issue? Do they strengthen the country or weaken it?
For example, how do the various Jewish streams look at proposed health care?
For example, how justified would Israel be in unilaterally destroying Iran’s nuclear program?
For example, even though we enjoy virtual communication with people — e-mail, texting, Facebook, My Space, Twitter — how does this affect human relationships and what does Judaism teach about it?
For example, given the state of our economy and the fluctuation of our personal assets, what does Judaism teach about priorities with diminishing resources?
For example, what observations and reactions do our local rabbis have to articles in the BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES? What trends do they sense in our community? What alarms them? What would they change?
Many Board of Rabbis members have unique expertise in one discipline or another, an unusual hobby or collection, special connections with unusual people. Imagine tapping into that. Some congregations invite their own rabbi(s) to speak at various synagogue functions; how about some divergent perspectives with a panel of rabbis?
I can’t speak for the other busy members of the Baltimore Board of Rabbis, but I would be happy to be invited to a program of any Jewish denomination, to share my knowledge as a lone speaker or to be part of a panel discussion.
It would make our Jewish community spiritually richer to tap the resources of the Board’s nearly 60 members. Our commitments and our passions, our activities and our concerns, our hopes and our dreams for America and Israel and the world are happily shared.
Rabbi Elan Adler, the spiritual leader of Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation, is active with the Baltimore Board of Rabbis. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of other BBOR members.