My Induction Speech

As a student Rabbi, I have been fortunate enough to have received many blessings. For example, I have been blessed by having inspiring teachers: and it is such an honour for me that they are here today since I have learnt so much from them.

I have also learnt, via writings of various kinds, from the voice of the ancient Rabbis. They took it upon themselves the great task of rebuilding Jewish civilization after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. One of these teachers was a man called Simon Ben Zoma. He was known for his interpretation skills, and in particular for his teachings in Pirke Avot. For example, the most famous teaching of Ben Zoma is: “Who is a wise man? He who learns from every man. Who is an honourable man? He who honours his fellow man. Who is a Hero? He who controls his impulses”.

Some generations later, the compiler of another set of Rabbinical teachings, “Avot De Rabbi Natan”, summarized these teachings of Ben Zoma by adding another thought: “Who is a hero? He who turns his enemies into his friends”.

The Hebrew word for friend is chaver, and I think it is truly a fascinating word. This is because its root is the same as havura, which is a word that means ‘community’. Such a root is composed of three letters: ח Chet, ב Vet, ר Resh. They can also be read as the initials of three other Hebrew words: Chet ח as Chasid, meaning: pious. Vet ב as Beinoni, meaning: the average person and ר Resh, as Rasha, meaning: wicked.

In a community, everyone is found: the pious as well as the wicked, and those who simply think of themselves as average individuals. A community, a real community, a true Jewish community, cannot afford the luxury of leaving anyone out, even if he or she has the reputation of being a Rasha, someone for whom Judaism is no longer a source of inspiration.

My Rabbinic vision is pretty straightforward: I want to turn the Rashas into friends.

And this is one of the biggest challenges for Rabbis of my generation. Like many of my fellow students, and colleagues, I see myself engaged in a struggle against the destructive forces of fundamentalism and assimilation. These two forces are alienating from Judaism too many precious minds and sensible hearts and turning them into Rashas. Therefore, we need to find a way to bring them back. And this is one of my goals as a Rabbi.

I believe that Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue is a great place to fulfil my mission. Why? Because our congregation is well-rooted in Jewish tradition and at the same time, is a longstanding constituent of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

Here, we are in the ideal middle ground….the derekh eretz praised by the ancient Rabbis.

I feel at home here. Why? Because we share the same belief that a Jewish community, a Jewish congregation, needs boundaries; and that those boundaries should be inclusive. And this is something else that Jewish tradition teaches us: that you cannot build a community if you do not turn your enemies into friends.

The Reform Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Brighton and Hove. It enjoys an excellent reputation in the Sussex Jewish Community, as well as in the general community. Here we can feel a wonderful sense of continuity through the generations. We have the most numerous Cheder in town. Most of our members have children, or grandchildren, affiliated to the same synagogue: ours.

The name of our synagogue is Shaarei Shalom, meaning “Gates of Peace”. The words Shaarei Shalom are written above the main entrance to welcome us as we arrive.

I think there is something deeply moving about this, especially when you think about the number of different generations of Brightonian Jews who have passed through these doors. They find here, especially on Shabbat, a sense of fulfilment and inspiration. Also a sense of belonging that they (that we) are committed to transferring this to the forthcoming generations. In a word, the same word written above the entrance, we find here a sense of Shalom.

And thanks to Zionism, and the State of Israel, Shalom is probably the most popular Hebrew word in the contemporary world. It is usually translated as “peace”, but it does not only mean “peace”. It also means completeness, serenity, and fulfilment.

I want to build here a community where every Jew can find fulfilment in being Jewish. A community based on the Jewish value of shalom.

And because I see the Rabbinate as a journey, allow me to conclude by quoting T’fillat ha Derekh, the traditional traveller’s prayer.

“May it be Your will, our God and God of our ancestors, that You lead us towards peace, guide our footsteps towards peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, for gladness, and above all, for peace”.

And let us say Amen.

[19 March 2013]