Yes, I’m still writing about Ohev’s Centennial. It was a central part
of my article last month, and – spoiler alert – it’ll likely come up again
before the end of the year. So, what is the actual POINT of a Centennial
celebration? And what is the lesson we can draw from it? Well, for one thing,
it’s an opportunity to take stock. Where have we been, where are we now, and
where are we heading as we forge ahead into the future? With 100 years of
experience comes (hopefully…) some perspective on what is yet to be. But in
order to appreciate this moment, we need to really stop and reflect on it. We
need to acknowledge, bless, and really be mindful of its significance. Wouldn’t
it be nice if someone could come and help us do all this lovely introspection
and consideration??
Enter Chancellor Arnold Eisen. Later this month, on Sunday, February
23rd, the head of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York (my
Alma Mater) will be coming to Ohev Shalom. The Conservative Movement doesn’t
have a Chief Rabbi or a CEO, but if we did, the Chancellor of JTS would be a
top candidate. Chancellor Eisen began his tenure at JTS in 2007, when I was in
Rabbinical School. He succeeded Ismar Schorsch, who had held the position for
20 years, and who I thought was a fantastically intriguing individual, even as
he represented a really Old World form of Judaism and Jewish scholarship. But I
digress.
It is exciting that Chancellor
Eisen is coming to Ohev, in part because he is a prominent leader in the
Conservative Movement. He is also retiring from his position this year, so we
may get a unique perspective on his experience and his plans for the future.
But most importantly, Arnold Eisen is considered one of the world’s foremost
authorities on American Judaism. He has studied it, he has written about it, he
has examined Jewish life in America perhaps more than anyone else alive today.
As I said to Rabbi Miller: “He is a Zeitgeist guy!”
Many more people can speak about Jewish life in Chester, PA. I myself
have come to learn quite a bit about Delaware County Judaism in my ten-plus
years here. Our Centennial, however, is a milestone of a much greater
magnitude. And much of what has taken place in Chester – and now Wallingford –
is emblematic of larger trends across this country… and I might even argue that
it mirrors the ebb and flow of Jewish life around the world, and for the past
millennium or two! There is much we can learn from examining our history, and
from juxtaposing our own story with narratives from near and far, current and
medieval.
But don’t take my word for it; let’s see what the expert has to say!
This moment in time is tremendously special; filled with sanctity and
opportunity. All of that is true, however, only if we recognize the value of it
and bless this historic occasion. So please join me on the morning of February
23rd, to learn about where we’ve been, what is going on in the
American Jewish World today, and what may await us in the future. Don’t let
this opportunity slip away; who knows if there will be another?
Sincerely,
Rabbi Gerber
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