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From the Rabbi's
Desk..
An Open Letter to My Sixteen Bat Mitzvah Students
Dear Doris, Meredith, Deborah, Audrey, Janice, Mayet, Debra, Lana, Morgan, Alicia, Joyce, Irene, Bonnie, Lisa, Janine and Ellen:
I know you will be reading this letter just a few weeks before your Bat Mitzvah. I am writing because I want you, your family and all our congregants to know what I am thinking about these days.
I am enormously proud of you…each of you individually and all of you collectively for what you have accomplished. Yours is no small achievement. I know how serious you have been about our studies and how diligently you have worked. I know you are all very nervous, but I also know that you will do beautifully on Shabbat. I know you want to be letter and trope perfect. That however, is really not of utmost importance. I too want you to do very well because we should always strive for excellence on the Bimah. You persevered and that is most important. You arranged your schedule at home or at work and attended Monday evening classes regularly for two years. You studied, overcame your inhibitions and mastered the material. I know that singing all by yourself before hundreds of people can be very intimidating. I remember the first time I asked some of you to chant a few Hebrew words for the class. You were traumatized and the thought of singing publicly was almost too much to bear. However, I never doubted that you would succeed.
This class has also meant a great deal to me. I have always been committed to the idea that people would fall in love with Judaism if they really knew and understood it…and if they could learn some of the skills of Jewish living. That is precisely what we did. In addition to learning how to read Hebrew and preparing for the Bat Mitzvah day, we spent the whole first year studying a wide range of topics in Judaism and in practical Jewish life.
We all need to feel that we belong, that we are part of a Jewish community and to experience the joys and satisfactions of Jewish life within that community. I believe that the greatest excitement is the excitement of ideas. I also believe that Rabbi Judah HaNasi’s words are absolutely correct. Eighteen hundred years ago he said, “Only the lesson which is enjoyed can be learned well”. Learning need never be dull or boring. On the contrary, learning could and should be challenging, enjoyable, inspiring and sometimes even fun. Your enthusiastic response to our classes confirmed my beliefs. You reaffirmed my faith in the power of education and for that I am most grateful.
A rabbi is called upon to fill many roles. He officiates at life cycle events, conducts Religious Services, comforts, preaches, teaches, visits, directs, administers, counsels and creates programs. Of all these roles, that of teaching gives me the most pleasure. Let me tell you why; it is quite simple. I am a passionate Jew. I love Judaism and I love being Jewish. I love our traditions and our heritage. I have enormous gratification when I teach students who in turn fall in love with what is so precious to me. I rejoice when people study a Jewish text, grasp new insights or master a Jewish skill. I have no greater pleasure than seeing people comfortable and happy with themselves as Jews. I am happiest when students “catch” my enthusiasm and love for Jewish life.
You and I have shared a very special experience and only we know how truly joyous these classes have been. There was learning and laughter …lots of both.
Please do not be nervous on Shabbat. Relax, smile and enjoy your Bat Mitzvah. It will be a very special day to be treasured for the rest of your lives. Mazal Tov!
Rabbi Albert Thaler
Sept/Oct 06 Message
Nov/Dec 06 Message
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