Visiting Rabbi

He drove all the way from Toronto to interview with us, leaving his wife at home while she recuperated from Covid.  I had a recuperating spouse too, but tested negative on the home antigen test that morning, as did a chair of the search committee, while the other co-chair also had partial isolation from a covid exposure.  I attended Minchah/ Havdalah, an assembly of nine men and four women, which gave us the abridged version, but left more time for teaching, which he did very well.  I also found him astute when challenged by interaction, but I was by far most vigorous on imposing questions and responses.

He seemed personable enough but the best selection for our waning congregation may be a little harder to tell.  Being more of an observer than an influencer, indeed I think largely marginalized in some ways in a place where insight or analytical skills seem devalued, I still have some impressions.

The fellow has a big beard, discreetly placed payot, and a large white crocheted kippah that covered much of his crew cut.  White shirt, dark pants, long tzitzit with p'til t'chalet dangling to about mid-thigh.  Part swami perhaps, part remnant from The Jewish Catalog series of the 1970s that both personalized Judaism but also created a largely ephemeral Chavurah fad.  Definitely a descendant of that background, not at all a carryover from Hebrew school.  I think his presence would have a uniqueness in our local Jewish community, maybe a less insular variant of Chabad.

Less certain perhaps, would be the prediction on his role as congregational rabbi on our particular agenda.  I think Saturday morning worship might become more of a targeted destination.  Sermons and side comments would have more of a sparkle, more reflective of a college graduate than Hebrew school graduate audience.  We would still struggle for a minyan.  Our liturgy would not change.  Unlikely that he would generate any new bimah participants.  And we would still have our gender disparity albatross and the reputation that it creates.

Classes would be series, or even individual presentations that he creates de novo.  We could learn rabbinics because he both knows and has an interest in rabbinics.  That may give our congregation uniqueness.  

The visiting Rabbi made an interesting observation in the parking lot.  He was asked whether he would find housing within walking distance of the synagogue, where some very attractive houses exist, or would he take the view of his predecessor that he has an obligation to his family to have them in a solidly Jewish area with ample institutions, commuting to fulfill his contractual obligations?  He responded that he needed to be part of the community as we have it.  In order for him to function not only as mara d'atra but as pastor, he needs to be among us.  Being familiar with the Jewish community of his native Toronto, I asked him about it.  It clusters geographically by denomination.  Ours had school districts with a lot of Jews when we arrived in 1980, but geographic distribution for reasons of prosperity enabling luxury housing or shifts in major employers has changed considerably.  But he seems to have an interest in being part of us, not just serving us.

Our Board's primary agenda for decades has been growing membership, or at least growing finances, amid a steady decline easily traceable through archived records.  I don't have confidence that he can make a difference in the aspect of our survival that the Board values most highly.  He perhaps can make us a more desirable place for the women who are here, but really cannot attract anyone who eliminates us from consideration on this element of our public presence.

In summary, I think those of us who like poking around Judaism's culture, heritage, and intellectual development will feel upgraded.  Those of us attracted to creativity will feel upgraded.  Our internal structures though, will not be upgraded.