Shabbat shalom -- last Sunday's Installation

Dear friends,

This past Sunday's ceremony celebrating my installation as your rabbi was a very moving event for me. The spirit of joy and optimism was palpable in the sanctuary, and I felt truly welcomed and embraced by our community. I am so grateful to you for your support and your warmth, and I look forward to many years together in which our relationships will blossom and grow. I particularly want to thank all those who dedicated so much of their time and resources to make the day successful and beautiful.

It was an important day not only for me, but for all of us. It was a moment in which we together honored the special history of our congregation and looked ahead to the opportunities and challenges that we will face. Rabbi Artson reminded us of the distinct experiences of our ancestors as they forged a relationship with God, and the presence of so many long-time congregants testified to the commitment of our people in every generation to establish a kehilla kedosha -- a holy community. As we look to the future, we will need to endeavor to strike a delicate balance between preserving the richness of our tradition and embracing the new dimensions of our lives that unfold every day.

This balance is reflected in this week's Torah reading, as well. In parashat Va-era, God promises Moses that God will bring the Israelites out of Egypt so that they can serve God. In other words, they will be freed from slavery for the purpose of taking on new and meaningful responsibilities in the world, not simply becoming autonomous individuals. As they move forward in their journey, they will draw upon their past experiences in order to face the future. The lessons they have learned will inform the choices they make as they go to the Promised Land and create a community for themselves there.

I have great faith in our ability to create a beautiful and meaningful future for ourselves and for our community. I feel blessed to take this journey with you and I thank you for this opportunity.

If you would like to share your reflections on last Sunday's installation ceremony, I invite you to post your comments here.

Shabbat shalom.