Rabbi Linda's blog

One of our many beautiful Jewish traditions is that of siyyum, the formal conclusion and celebration of the study of a division of the Mishnah or Talmud, or in our time, any large section of a Jewish text. The celebration is joyful and is accompanied by music and a feast. This tradition speaks to me as I think about how to conclude this time with you, my beloved community.

Under better circumstances, Beth Israel might be planning a party and more. Given the severity of my husband’s illness, that just doesn’t feel right. So, what do we do? What will this moment of siyyum look like?

One great idea, brought to me by a BI member, is that we plan to hold a party sometime in the future – a year or two from now, when I may be able to celebrate. I like that idea. But we need to do something now, for my sake and I suspect, for many of you as well.

So here are some plans. For starters, I expect to be present at BI for the May 18 meeting, where we will eat together, conduct business and where we will mark our 28 years together.

Here’s another plan. When a friend and colleague left her position after several decades, she convened some “sharing circles”, where she gathered with congregants in small groups to reminisce and reflect on their experiences over the years. I like that idea too. I want to call these gatherings “Reflection Circles.” They will take place over zoom. Everyone will be invited to share memories of our time together at BI over these years. I prefer this to a larger gathering with all the focus on me. This will be about “we”. I’ve scheduled two for May, and depending on the turnout, I will schedule two more for June. That way, people who don’t attend zoom services or programs that I lead will have a chance to connect with me and also with one another.

For now, I’ve chosen the evenings of May 14 and May 22, at 7:30 on zoom. I look forward to seeing your faces and to exploring memories and reflections with you. I’d love to hear about your Jewish journey, your BI journey or any tidbit that you would enjoy sharing.

It has been such an honor to serve as your rabbi. Thank you for your trust. I am grateful that as emerita I will still see you, but it will be with less regularity.

I am grateful to be leaving you in the capable hands of Rabbi Nathan who will now be senior rabbi and with Rabbi Aviva, who will join him as his rabbinic partner and as BI’s new associate rabbi. We have a strong board and are still blessed with the amazing work of Mikayla in the office, Keith and Carolyn in the building, and our team of dedicated and talented volunteers, who make everything possible.

I am so grateful to you for the love and support that you have shown my family since Randy’s painful diagnosis. Your kindness has meant more than you can possibly know.

This is not goodbye. I will be with you in May and June. Then we will figure out what the next stage of our relationship will look like. For now, I leave you with words from Psalm 122:

I pray for your well‐being, …. I seek your good.

May you and Beth Israel go from strength to strength.