Rabbi's Blog

Dear Haverim,

I was so humbled and moved by the Gala Dinner Saturday night.  It far exceeded my expectations for how wonderful it would be and for how I would feel, but when you put Debbie Stern and Susie Rothfeder and their wonderful committee in charge of an event, you know that it’s going to be spectacular!

Thank you to the 300 people who were able to attend, and thank you to those who couldn’t, but sent me lovely emails, and thank you to those who placed greetings in the Gala Tribute Book.  Thank you all for your generosity.  Every synagogue needs generous donors, year in and year out, and I want to especially thank those – on every level of giving – who always stretch to donate meaningful gifts.  You are our synagogue’s lifeblood.

Thank you for all of the lovely and loving surprises at the Gala, including an incredible PowerPoint presentation, made by Carol Richmond and Doug Lippincott, from videos sent by my family and friends, ranging from Rep. Katie Porter to Dr. Ruth.

Thank you to the daring, hard-working and visionary founders of University Synagogue.  Those years were so exciting and challenging in the most wonderful way, and you are truly among the “gedolai ha-dor”/the greatest generation of our congregation.  You have inspired so many leaders who have followed you to reach greatness, as well. We will forever celebrate your dream, and we will sadly continue to mourn those who have passed away – zichronam livracha/may their memories always be a blessing to us all.

I want to thank the leadership of University Synagogue: the Board, the officers, the committee chairs, and the “doers” of this year and every year throughout our 37-year history.  Without you, there would be no University Synagogue.  With you, now and in the future, our congregation will continue to be active, inclusive and visionary, as well as dedicated to Tikkun Olam/improving the world, and creating a loving and caring community within.

A congregation is more than a building.  It’s a community that shows up to celebrate simchas like our Gala, that wishes “mazel tov” to people who are “shepping nachas” over births, B’nai Mitzvah, weddings, and so many other accomplishments and that consoles those facing illness and loss.

It has been said that the two most important days of people’s lives are the day that they are born, and the day when they find out what they want to do with their lives.

I was fortunate to become a Reconstructionist rabbi.  When I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, very few people thought that becoming a rabbi made sense.  As one of my fellow students said to me: “Why do you want to waste your life?”  (That was in 1970, after the tumultuous sixties.)

Luckily, I didn’t listen to him because, as a rabbi, I’ve had a wonderfully fulfilling life.  My circle of emotional experience has expanded beyond measure.  When you celebrate, I celebrate with you.  When you mourn, I mourn with you, too.

There is not a day that goes by without my appreciation for becoming a rabbi.  You have given my life so much meaning.  I believe that I have lived my life in a worthy way – helping people, caring about them, and improving the world.  And, because, as a rabbi, I’ve wanted to live what I preach, I’ve tried to become a better person because of Judaism and you.

Thank you to my loving family, who all attended and immensely enjoyed the Gala.  Thank you to my children and grandchildren, who are always my pride and joy, and thank you to my beautiful, bright, talented and loving wife.  Thank you to our hard-working synagogue staff, and especially to Elaine Larkins – my dedicated and diligent secretary, my assistant who’s always there to help me and all of you.

University Synagogue is a unique, Reconstructionist congregation.  Please keep that uniqueness and Reconstructionism alive.  Guard it.  Extend it.  Improve it.  We are and have always been a home for those seeking a rational and inclusive Judaism, and Judaism needs us more than ever.

As you know, I often say “perfect is the enemy of the good,” so don’t worry about perfection, but please guard against that other enemy of the good – mediocrity.

Please don’t ever settle for fuzzy thinking, regressive ideas, moral passivity or easy complacency.  Always challenge yourselves and our congregation to be its best and truest.  Strive for excellence. Be proud of that for which we stand as the most modern form of Judaism, with a humanistic philosophy and a desire to embrace truth and reality.

I look forward to becoming your “Rabbi Emeritus” for a decade, beginning this summer.  While I feel sadness at retiring, I also feel joyous anticipation for what will come next for me, my family and University Synagogue.

And so, as we honor the space between the “no longer” and the “not yet,” let us rejoice in all that you and I have accomplished together. 

Mazel tov to us all and “L’chaim,”

Rabbi Arnie Rachlis