A three-pillared vision

BASYA LAYE

During the Nov. 15-17 weekend, Rabbi Dan Moskovitz was installed as senior rabbi of Congregation Temple Sholom. The congregation’s president, David Schwartz, described the weekend in the synagogue’s newsletter.

“The installation of Rabbi Moskovitz this weekend was a wonderful simchah,” he wrote. “The weekend began with a sold-out Shabbat congregational dinner organized by the welcoming committee, led by Anne Andrew. There were words of greeting from Joyce Murray MP and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. Following dinner, there was a special musical Shabbat service with musicians and vocalists led by Josh Niehaus and the sisterhood choir adding to the festive nature of the service.

“At the Shabbat evening service, rabbis Moskovitz, [Carey] Brown and cantor [Naomi] Taussig wore their beautiful new, bold, blue, matching tallitot with the Temple Sholom logo. Rabbi Jan Offel, Congregational Network rabbinic director, [Union of Reform Judaism] West District, brought greetings from the URJ and memories of rabbinical school with Rabbi Moskovitz. Rabbi Don Goor, rabbi emeritus of Temple Judea, L.A., Rabbi Moskovitz’s friend and mentor spoke glowingly about Rabbi Moskovitz and gave the installation blessing. Rabbi Goor hired Rabbi Moskovitz directly out of rabbinical school to be his assistant rabbi at Temple Judea, 13 years ago. Rabbi [Philip] Bregman, rabbi emeritus, gave the benediction at the service.

“The service was attended by many relatives of Rabbi Moskovitz, and more than two dozen congregants from Temple Judea, L.A., traveled here to show their love for Rabbi Moskovitz and to share this special moment with him.

“A beautiful, one-of-a-kind work of art incorporating messages/ prayers/blessings from … congregants was presented to Rabbi Moskovitz in honor of his installation. The net proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the Temple Sholom Adult Education Fund….”

He continued, “With the installation, we move from welcoming Rabbi Moskovitz and his family … to embarking on a sacred journey together in this next phase of Temple Sholom. Just as Rabbi Moskovitz is getting to know each of us, let us all dedicate ourselves to coming to know each other. Together, through a relational approach to Judaism and Jewish life, we will only deepen our appreciation for our … community and the many blessings it adds to our lives.”

Moskovitz’s remarks at the installation focused on the “three pillars” of his vision for the congregation, but also on the unique character he’s witnessed so far as spiritual leader of Temple Sholom.

In an excerpt of his remarks provided to the Jewish Independent, Moskovitz said, “Temple Sholom is special. It is a jewel. The congregation I inherit is extraordinary in so many ways. A pillar of this community, respected across North America and up and down Oak Street. A shul above politics and turf battles, with a sanctuary reasonably full on Friday nights and Saturday mornings and a religious school that is innovative and engaging. We have a morning minyan and ongoing Torah study that exists because of the Jewish values of our members. A sisterhood and 60-plus program that not only wins awards but more importantly wins our hearts through the chesed, the kindness, they show everyone they touch. I am inheriting a wonderful congregation – my first priority as your senior rabbi will be not to break it.

“In the Book of Proverbs, a book attributed to wise King Solomon, he wrote, ‘Without a vision, the people perish.’ (Proverbs 29:18) My vision for our community simply put is more joy less oy. It is a vision guided by faith not fear. Faith that together we can be as Torah commands us to be – a house for all people, a community of sacred purpose, built upon a foundation of meaningful relationships. A community that is about people not programs….”

He continued, “The gift of faith in general and Judaism in particular is the gift of meaning. Why be Jewish? Because Judaism holds the answer to the ultimate question – what is the meaning of life; for what purpose was I created?

“For generations of Jews, the answer to the question why be Jewish was victimhood; ‘they tried to kill us.’ Victimhood colored with a little guilt or, said more politely, obligation. ‘My parents went to shul, so I go to shul.’ Why be Jewish? ‘Because the world will not accept me as anything else.’

“Those answers are utterly insufficient today. We cannot be a people living in fear of our own demise. That is not meaning enough. Fear will not sustain our community; fear and guilt will not grow our congregation.

“Over these past four months, I have sat in dozens of living rooms, spoken with hundreds on the phone or in person over countless cups of coffee. Indeed, on the High Holy Days, I probably shook 2,000 hands and exchanged words of greeting and hopefully moments of connection.

“If I have learned anything from these invaluable opportunities to meet you and get to know your stories, it is that the road to a meaningful Jewish life and community is not paved by fear, not driven by paranoia or victimhood, but rather a quest for meaning.

“A vibrant, relevant, inclusive and unapologetic Canadian Reform Judaism is what our community needs. A modern Jewish endeavor based on the ancient values our ancestors lived and for which they were prepared to die. On justice, compassion, love of the stranger, the sanctity and joy of life and the dignity of every human being without regard to color, culture, creed, gender, age or orientation.

“You taught me that. Your stories of intermarried children who feel unwelcome in synagogue. Of grandchildren and your own school-age children who see religious school as more burden than blessing. Of families feeling bound by technological chains, obligated in so many directions that the Sabbath they need most of all moves farther and farther out of reach. You showed me when I met with young single adults who find no reason to join a synagogue because to them Judaism is not a religious experience but rather a cultural expression. Singles and seniors who are alone and isolated; yearning for meaningful relationships and a supportive community at a time when people dear to them are slipping away.

“More joy less oy; faith not fear; people not programs. [These are] the three pillars of my vision for Temple Sholom at this unique moment in our history.

“The verse I chose for this evening’s invitation was from Pirkei Avot; ‘aseh lechah rav v’koneh lechah chaver,’ ‘Get for yourself a teacher, a rabbi, and you will acquire for yourself a friend.’ I am humbled and deeply grateful to be your rabbi, I look forward and would be honored to earn your friendship.”

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