Dear Friends,
Last week I had the privilege of attending Ora Jacobsen’s (now Rabbi Jacobsen’s) Ordination Ceremony at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan. I’ve had the honor of studying with Rabbi Jacobsen since she became part of the TSTI family. (She is married to Ryan Jacobsen, who grew up as part of a three-generation TSTI family and became Bar Mitzvah at TSTI.)
The highlight of the Ordination Ceremony comes when each ordinee is individually invited to ascend the bimah and receive a blessing. It was a powerful moment, and I was thrilled to be present for it.
As I sat waiting for Rabbi Jacobsen’s turn to receive her blessing, I found myself thinking about the other TSTI members who have shared similar moments. These include but are not limited to:
Rabbi Lindsey Danziger, who grew up as part of a three-generation TSTI family. Rabbi Danziger works for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and was the force behind the Reform Movement’s get-out-the-vote campaign during the recent World Zionist Congress elections.
Rabbi Noah Fabricant, who grew up at TSTI, went on both a family and a teen TSTI trip to Israel and was active throughout high school. He currently serves Kol Dorot in Northern New Jersey.
Rabbi Matt Reimer, who also grew up at TSTI, currently works for the Reform Movement.
Ethan Blake is currently a student at Hebrew Union College, and Jay Asher, who grew up at TSTI and has spent the last few years serving as the Youth Director at Congregation Bnai Jeshurun in Short Hills, will begin his rabbinic studies this summer.
(If I left anyone off, please accept my apologies.)
It was striking to me to realize that six current and future rabbis who are, in various ways, “products” of TSTI are helping build and secure the Jewish future. And, not to take away from their individual achievements, we ALL share in their accomplishments. Their commitment came, at least in part, because of their connection to a strong, vibrant, and dynamic TSTI. And that only exists because of all of you.
A few years ago, we stopped using the phrase “membership dues” to describe financial support of temple and replaced it with “community commitment.” This change wasn’t merely an issue of semantics. It reflected our effort to begin shifting the way we see temple involvement and support. Rather than being “members,” we are part of a shared community in which we each have a role to play. Yes, that community involvement includes educating our own children, marking our own family milestones, and, I pray, finding personal connection and inspiration. But “community commitment” was intended to encourage us to look outside ourselves and at the larger TSTI community.
And last Sunday’s ordination is a prime opportunity to do so. The morning was a celebration of Rabbi Jacobsen’s achievements. But, by supporting the community where she was able to learn, grow, and be inspired to choose such a path, each and every one of you played an indirect role in making that possible.
When the Israelites were called upon to build the Tabernacle, the portable temple they carried during their desert wanderings, the people were instructed to each donate half a shekel and whatever additional gifts they could provide. By so doing, the Torah made clear the role each and every community member played in building the future.
What was true then remains true today. And last Sunday I was overjoyed to celebrate Rabbi Jacobsen, and to see the result of what we have built together.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Daniel Cohen