Changing of the rabbinic guard

For most of us, the advent of August means the last few days of vacation time from work or a signal that only a short time remains before a new school terms begin. But in New Orleans, this August means a time to say both hello and goodbye to several of our rabbinic leaders.

In previous weeks, we have said so long to Rabbi Ethan Linden, who left his pulpit at Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation to take over the camp directorship at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. Congregation Anshe Sfard Rabbi David Polsky will be leaving after this Shabbat and moving his family to the Detroit area (see CCJN story here). Rabbi Yonachan Rivkin will begin his term of office as an interim rabbi next week.

Beginning next weekend Rabbi Deborah Silver will be starting her new pulpit at Shir Chadash with a welcome Kiddush event (see CCJN story here). Meanwhile, Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn at Temple Sinai assumed the emeritus rabbi position after 29 years and his successor, Rabbi Matthew Reimer (see feature CCJN story here), is preparing to lead the first of his Shabbat observances as the new senior rabbi there.

If there is one certainty to life, it is that there is no certainty of anything. The revered rabbinic leaders of the past have moved on to greener, larger pastures in other communities or may have decided to slow down and enjoy their later years.

Whatever the reason we wish them all luck and good fortune. We should look to the leaders who remain or those who will soon be taking the lead in our community and wishing them the very best of our support and strength. They are the leaders who, through the time-honored traditions of l’dor v’dor  (“from generation to generation”) and tikun olam (“healing the world”), will ensure our survival as a religious community and will keep safe and inviolate the very best of what we offer our community at large as a people of charity and service.

It is not an understatement to say that the future of New Orleans’ Jewish community is truly in their hands.