A Time for Reflection
As a native of New England, I am accustomed to seasonal change. I take pleasure in the crisp sounds of leaves in the fall, the quiet of winter, the rebirth of spring, and the vitality of summer. Each new season brings forth its individual blessings. Each new season affords a unique opportunity for thought and reflection.
At this time last year, the full warmth of summer was just beginning to reach the northern suburbs of Chicago. Ida and I were busy packing our condo in preparation for our move to Massachusetts. In the last days of June, I drove into Worcester with some bags in tow (my wife Ida and son Avi wisely took a plane) – feeling a bit overwhelmed, yet expectant and hopeful. Before we knew it, July 1st arrived and we were officially welcomed to the Temple Emanuel family. Over the course of the summer, there were a number of meet-and-greets, wonderful opportunities to meet congregants and families, all of whom were eager to meet their new rabbi and his family.
Looking back, Ida and I felt an overwhelming sense of welcome to the community. We were graciously invited into your homes for dinner, dessert, and informal gatherings. So many people took a genuine interest in our lives, our interests, and our concerns. Without a doubt, the collective wisdom and knowledge of Worcester and its surroundings helped us quickly acclimate to the area (we especially appreciated the wonderful packet with activities and outings for kids). The relative quiet of summer presented a wonderful opportunity to develop a sense of comfort with the Temple staff, many congregants, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
Overall this has been a year of many blessings. My experiences this year at Temple Emanuel have granted so many significant opportunities to connect with individuals and families in a meaningful way. Allow me to share just a few of these great moments: High Hoy Day services in the beautiful Persky Sanctuary, with its rich wood hues and its decades of history; T’filah Band musical services with Peter and Ellen Allard (especially our MLK Jr. Shabbat service with Rev. Wright and the Emmanuel Baptist Choir); my rabbinic installation this past October; Tot Shabbat with the kids and parents; visits to the Early Childhood Center to share Shabbat music with the children; the 5th-7th Grade TERS retreat at Camp Eisner; the Gould Music Festival with the Afro-Semitic Experience; working with our Adult B’not Mitzvah class of 2010; and finally, the honor of sharing meaningful life-cycle moments with so many individuals and families.
As we continue our journey together, I look forward to deepening our relationships and finding new ways to maintain and enhance the holy sparks that make our congregation a great spiritual home. As we look forward to Temple Emanuel’s 90th year (we were founded in 1921), let us be thankful for the many gifts and blessings of our lives, our families, and our community.
May you all have a pleasant summer filled with health, happiness, and warmth.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Matthew Berger
