Dear Hevreh,

Friday was a special night for me.  Not only did it mark the first program I organized as your rabbi (with immeasurable help from many members of our community), but it also marked the moment I realized just how lucky I am to be your rabbi.  There I was, standing in front of a hevreh of 40+ people, as Rabbi Zalma put her arms on my shoulders to bless me and bless our congregation with a bright future.  Thinking back on that moment, I can’t help but think…

How lucky am I to have a colleague and friend who would give me such a blessing as she says goodbye to a congregation she’s called home for the past six years.

How lucky am I to be embraced by that same congregation, a hevreh full of ideas, energy, and enthusiasm for their faith and their people.

How lucky am I to have experienced a moment in which our congregation’s past, present, and future came together at once so perfectly.

Yes, it was a special night for me.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it.

With much gratitude,

Rabbi Ari Saks

P.S.  Please help us offset the cost of Shabbat by the Sea by making a donation to the synagogue.  All checks should be made out to “Congregation Beth Mordecai” with “Shabbat by the Sea” in the memo.

Photo taken by C. Jill Reed on Flickr —http://www.flickr.com/photos/mulmatsherm/

Category : Ari-archive
Tag : blessing gratitude Melinda Zalma rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat by the sea