Friday, December 2, 2011

Jacobs' Farewell - Vayetze 5772

No, the apostrophe is not misplaced....

In this week's portion, Jacob leaves home -- the opening word and title of the parasha, Vayetze, means "he left":

"So Jacob left Be'er-sheva and went to Haran" (Gen. 28:10).

And so begins the saga of Jacob as a man away from his home for the first time: he will go to his family's ancestral land, to Paddan-Aram, there to serve Laban who will be his father-in-law and employer....

Our own WRT community is preparing to say farewell to Rabbi Richard Jacobs, so Jacob's departure corresponds in poetic symmetry with Jacobs' departure. Tonight at WRT at 6:15 please join us for a service honoring Rabbi Jacobs' 20 years of devoted service as the senior rabbi of Westchester Reform Temple. Rabbi Jacobs' imprimatur is felt in every dimension of our congregation's life--in our approach to worship, education, social justice, Israel, and community--and in the very building itself, this magnificent campus that was just awarded the 2011 American Architecture Award (to Rogers Marvel Architects).

Please join us tonight to celebrate Rabbi Jacobs' service to our community, the incredible legacy of Jewish leadership and inspiration that he leaves our temple and that will ever abide among us, and wish him well in his new leadership role as the incoming President of the Union for Reform Judaism.

Please also use this page to offer comments and tributes honoring Rabbi Jacobs -- it will be deeply moving to have your words and well wishes recorded here.

Speaking personally, I am forever indebted to my rabbi, friend, mentor, and teacher. May God bless him in this special moment of transition.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Jonathan Blake

5 comments:

  1. In searching for words to extract from the parasha, my eyes came upon quite a few interesting possibilities ... then chose to have you read just my own words typed here. May the answer to your dreams always be found as you roam from east to west to north and to south...showing us the way to climb Jacobs' ladder from a solid place to a spiritual place continually ....showing us the way to peace, to love, to happiness each and together. always, Jaira

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  2. It is difficult to write personal words to our beloved rabbi on a public forum. So, I will excerpt the following from my personal farewell:

    A Parting Blessing

    Rabbi Jacobs, you have institutionalized inclusion within a tribal people. You have established personal, one-on-one relationships with each of us in your large flock. You are our teacher. You are our role model. You are a man who stands tall and walks his talk. We will all miss you terribly, each in his or her own personal way. But, you leave us in very good hands. And, it is reassuring for us to know that your energy and values will be influencing our Jewish World in a much bigger way going forward.

    ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שחלק מחכמתו ליראיו

    We wish you much happiness and success in your new position.

    With love and the utmost respect,

    David, Trish & Maddie

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  3. Rabbi Jacobs,

    It is hard to believe that I have belonged to WRT since 5737 (for most of us, fall 1967). Since the end of my religious education, my involvement has fluctuated. Since November 2009 I have been quite active, in large part due to the intense opportunities for Jewish learning you have created. You have successfully delegated most of that. The ability to create, foster and delegate is the work of a true master.

    I am sure that your contributions to the Reform Movement overall will be equally profound.

    G-dspeed.

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  4. I am Jim Glucksman. JBG is how I have google display my name, where I am not known. The above post is mine.

    Jim

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  5. steve siegel will be forever grateful for your sensitivity in helping me to deal with laura's death and then with my marriage to fran. i wish well in your new position as the head of the u.s. reform movement.

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