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The Rabbi's message for March

 

This week our members received a letter with the exciting news that I have been named “Rabbi Emerita”. It is indeed a great honour for me, and ensures that we get to continue the special covenantal relationship we have. Here are some answers to the FAQ’s that folks have been asking me, and I hope you find them helpful!

 

Q: What does Rabbi Emerita mean?

A: It is Latin for “with merit” and an honorific title given to someone who no longer holds a position but still gets to hold their title. Being an emerita means to encourage the new rabbi and the congregation as it moves into the future. I will always be supporting you and your new Rabbi though I will no longer make ritual decisions for the congregation or decide congregational policy. I will always be in a relationship with City Shul and always support its successes and help it during its challenges, but not as its primary Rabbi.

 

Q: What will you do after you retire?

A: I hope to just “be” for a while, and then I will write, teach, lead trips, do scholar-in-residence weekends, and do the many things I love. I can do interesting “Rabbinic” things hopefully for a long time!

 

Q: Will you still be in Toronto?

A: Yes we will keep our home here in the Annex and travel to warmer climes for the winters.

 

Q: Will you be choosing the next Rabbi for City Shul?

A: Nope! The new Rabbi is not my decision to make. It is also not the new Transitional Rabbi's decision to make. It is fully up to the congregation and its Leadership Team. The Transitional Rabbi will be instrumental in helping the congregation ask the important questions it needs to ask of itself to make a smooth transition to the new Rabbinical leadership. I will be happy to counsel/advise whenever the LT asks.

 

Q: Will you be coming back to City Shul?

A: My plan is to let the Transitional Rabbi lead the important work of guiding City Shul through this transition so I’ll be away for a while and then, I will be very excited to come back to pray and celebrate with you; and eventually to teach/preach when the time is right. I will always cherish my relationship with City Shul—it is my spiritual home as well as yours.

 

Q: Will you still perform our weddings, B'Mitzvahs, baby namings….and funerals?

A: Your Transitional Rabbi and new Rabbi will be performing those lifecycle events for you. I still care about you and I want to know if you’ve had a significant event in your life, and they will keep me informed. Your Transitional Rabbi, and the new Rabbi after that, will always be the first call. I won't be leading services at City Shul, so I won't be performing B'Mitzvahs or baby namings. For other lifecycle events, there may be times when your Transitional Rabbi or new Rabbi is out of town and asks me to officiate; and there may be times when they are in town and invite me to participate. It will be a case-by-case scenario and we will always communicate about what's best— but I will not lose contact with you. No one wants that!

 

Q: How can we celebrate our relationship and our history with you?

A: Easy! Please celebrate with me at the amazing gala that’s being planned for June 17! And of course, come to any of the services, adult ed, and other events that we have planned between now and then: the Adult Purim Party on March 23, Learning Service on April 6; Ask Your Rabbi on April 14, Pesach Kabbalat Shabbat on April 26 and Israeli Film Night on April 27, the Harold Green Theatre on May 5 and more!

 

Q: Can we still be in touch with you after you retire?

A: YES! I will always be happy to hear from you, at my usual email rabbi@cityshul.com until June 15, and after that date at my new email rabbi.emerita@cityshul.com

 

Rabbi Dr. Elyse Goldstein

rabbi@cityshul.com

www.cityshul.com

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Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784