Dear Haverim,
I rarely speak autobiographically, but when I was recently asked, by the Reconstructionist movement, to reflect on my 50 years as a rabbi, to an audience from across the country on Zoom, I was both honored and challenged.
“Honored” – because so many who were watching were my rabbinic colleagues and “challenged” because how does one tell a life story in a half an hour!
A number of University Synagogue members asked me to give a version of that talk again, which I will do this Friday evening at services.
I was asked to reflect on why I became a rabbi and how that decision has shaped my life, my congregants, and the Reconstructionist movement. I described my childhood, raised by immigrant parents who fled European anti-Semitism, my political involvements for peace and justice, my beliefs about Judaism and its importance, my travels around the world meeting with Jewish community leaders and helping to rescue Soviet Jews, Israel as an influence on my life, the future of Reconstructionist Judaism, and, most of all, what I have learned about life from you, my congregants. Even if you’ve known me for decades, you’ll be surprised by what I’ll share!
I would be honored if you could join me this Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Shabbat services when I will share my story. (RSVP here).
It has been such a privilege to be your rabbi for the past 33 years and I’m honored to be your Rabbi Emeritus now.
Kol Tuv/All the best,
Rabbi Arnie Rachlis
