Dear Friends,
The biblical Book of Deuteronomy is primarily a series of speeches Moses delivered to the People of Israel as they prepared to enter the Land of Israel and embark on their next chapter. Throughout the book, Moses recounts their desert wanderings, their achievements, and, of course, their mistakes. He reiterates the core values he hopes the people—now the community—share and expresses his hope that those values will guide them into the future.
Taken as a whole, the Book reflects Moses’ hope, concern, and perhaps anxiety that the community would, as we say, go from strength to strength when that new chapter began.
The decision for Raina and me to make aliyah a little over a year from now was bittersweet.
On the one hand, we are excited to begin a new chapter together in the historic land of our people. We look forward to having two more centrist votes in the next Israeli elections and hope to play a role in helping Israel rebuild after the challenges of the last two years. (Also, it doesn’t hurt that the food is fantastic, the State holidays follow the Jewish calendar, and Israel is so dog-friendly that our Goldendoodles Nava and Emmet will be able to go pretty much everywhere with us.)
On the other hand, I knew my departure would require TSTI to select a successor as Senior Rabbi, and, like Moses in his day, I could only hope our leadership would choose someone who loves and is as devoted to our TSTI community as I am.
I am grateful that, after thoughtful deliberation, the Board offered the position to Rabbi Klein. And I am thrilled that Rabbi Klein has agreed.
When Sue Wishnow, Andrea Baum, and I went to Cincinnati to interview Assistant Rabbi candidates a decade ago, we were immediately impressed by Rabbi Klein. She is intelligent and thoughtful. She has a deep curiosity and a desire to struggle with big ideas. A decade later, Rabbi Klein still has those admirable qualities, AND she has developed a deep love for this community and its members.
I know the congregation will be in good hands under her leadership and in partnership with Cantor Moses.
I look forward to my next fourteen months as TSTI’s Senior Rabbi, and I am grateful that I can do so knowing that TSTI’s future is bright!
Mazal Tov to Rabbi Klein, to our Board for their thoughtful leadership, and to all of you.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Daniel Cohen