From The Rabbi’s Desk…

It is no secret that the economic crisis has battered some of our nation’s most trusted and reliable institutions. From banks and financial houses to automobile companies, few commercial enterprises have been spared the effects of the downturn.

Many charitable organizations also have been affected, ironically at the very time that people are most in need of their assistance. The Union for Reform Judaism, our parent organization, has closed their nearly fifty-year-old New England regional office, and transferred many of its operations to the Reform Movement’s headquarters in New York. Although some form of restructuring was considered long before the downturn, this year’s economic crisis hastened the changes.

In response to the regional office’s closing, I, along with a small group of Reform rabbis in the greater Boston area, have been meeting to create an entity, though much smaller in scope, that can speak for the Reform Movement and also be a vehicle through which outreach to interfaith families, and youth programming can continue on the same high level our community has come to expect.

Closer to home, thanks to the wise and judicious stewardship of our Temple Emanuel officers and board, and the willingness of our staff to accept a building-wide wage freeze, we are in reasonably good shape, particularly in comparison to many other religious organizations.

In addition, we have many extraordinarily generous congregants who continue to step forward to support the temple to a level that allows us to continue to welcome those who have been negatively affected by the economy.

I believe every Jew needs a synagogue. And I am committed, and I know our leadership is, to guaranteeing that anyone, regardless of their ability to pay dues or tuition, feels welcome at Temple Emanuel.

The mishnah reminds us, “Do not separate yourself from the community.”

Now, perhaps more than at any other time, we all need a place, for ourselves and our families, that does not change—where the same values of faith, compassion, and courage that sustained our people for more than five thousand years continue to endure. I am confident that together, we can weather this current storm. And I am convinced we will emerge an even stronger community.

Remember, Temple Emanuel functions in all seasons. Never hesitate to be in touch, if for no other reason than just to check in and chat!

………………………..…...……..Rabbi Robert Goldstein

Rabbi Dr. Robert Goldstein was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1975 and was ordained a Rabbi in 1981 at the Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City.  In 1988, Rabbi Goldstein earned a Doctor of Ministry at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. His doctoral thesis was entitled, “Life Cycle.Life Crisis: Religious Orgins and Psychological Implications of Three Rites of Passage.”
 
At the core of Rabbi Goldstein's ministry is his attempt to help families and individuals find greater understanding and meaning in the milestone rituals of their lives. By making Jewish ritual accessible through creative adult education, he believes that many more people will discover the relevance of the Jewish path of life.
Throughout his ministry Rabbi Goldstein has sought to bring creativity and vitality to the communities from within and always to serve the emotional and religious needs of his community. This requires a commitment to work beyond the Jewish community, working with others in the broader community to create coalition which attempt to resolve some of the expansive challenges which face our society. With representatives of the Catholic and Protestant communities he continues to participate in an ongoing direct dialogue. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Tikkun Olam Award, and in June 2003 the Rabbi received an honorary doctorate from Merrimack College.

Rabbi Goldstein lives in Andover, Massachusetts with his wife Faith, an elementary school teacher, and their three daughters.