A Fond Farewell (Temple Beth Or)
It’s been an incredible journey, everyone! During the past five years, when I have had the extraordinary pleasure of serving at Temple Beth Or, I’ve come to consider our synagogue my Jewish home. The relationships I have formed here have been life-changing. They have changed who I am—as a rabbi and as a person.
In turn, it is my most sincere hope that I have been able to create opportunities for our community’s learning and growth, for spiritual vibrancy, and for plain old fun. When I have failed to do so—and I know I have!—I hope that I have been able to remedy my failures.
Whether I have succeeded or failed, I have always learned many lessons here, and I greatly hope the experience has been mutual. My wish for you all as you go into the next year, one now filled with so many unknowns, is that you truly flourish.
To our children, who add life to our community, who bring joy to our building and cyberspace: may you continue on your paths of learning. You are our next generation of b’nei mitzvah, of confirmands, of adults—even of teachers. It is the sound of your voices that really, more than anything else, enriches Temple Beth Or.
To all the parents who have entrusted me with their children’s Jewish education: you and your families are true blessings, and Temple Beth Or is so lucky to have you. I, more than anyone else, have been privileged by your faith in our community’s teachers and in Makor. In the years to come, may your children surpass us all in knowledge, coming to ask questions so erudite, so learned, that none of us can easily answer them. May you find celebrations frequent, and may you be positively burdened by the number of simchas you may attend.
To our greater community: may you learn to navigate the new frontier of Jewish life in 2020 with aplomb. May you recognize the great power that you each bring to the table at Temple Beth Or, and may you make a point of sharing your gifts with others. Volunteer as much as possible, and ask that sagely question so eloquently placed in the mouth of “Judah F. Kennedy” (the figmentary cousin of John F. Kennedy) by our past Temple president, Jerry Weckstein: “Ask not what your Temple can do for you, ask what you can do for your Temple.” Your Temple needs you—I have no doubt that you will continue, as always, to be there and answer the call.
To our newly-minted Rabbi, Ben Azriel: Know that before you stands greatness…and I’m not speaking of myself! No, you’re coming into a truly special community with unique talents and strengths. I hope you know only success and happiness at Temple Beth Or, that you enjoy your time with our children and families even more than I did (good luck with that!), and that you find at Temple Beth Or fertile ground for you to begin a long, propitious rabbinical career. I know I did.
And, to Rabbi Judah Chessin, the epitome of a mentor: Thank you. Thank you for supporting me and for helping me to start my own rabbinical life right. I would not be here without you, nor would I be whom I have been able to become. The lion’s share of my growth is attributable to your guidance, and you deserve more accolades for your work at our Temple than you could ever possibly receive.
Indeed, it has been quite the journey. And I look forward to when our paths cross again.
L’hitra’ot,
Rabbi Ari Ballaban