A Word from Rabbi Schulman - 1/1/21

Six months ago, I announced to the congregation that I plan on retiring on June 30, 2021. In recent weeks, family and friends have been asking me my thoughts about my impending retirement.

I will share with you what I have told them. The truth is, I really have not devoted a lot of time thinking about it. I suppose that if congregational life had remained pretty much the same as in previous years, I would have had more hours to ponder my future.

There has been no downshifting at Temple Beth Torah because the pandemic has impacted every aspect of our synagogue. Every service I lead, every class I teach, every counseling session I engage in, calls upon me to reimagine and create ways for us to connect and foster meaning.

Though I was initially stunned by the shutdown imposed by the pandemic last March, since then I have been energized by the daily and weekly challenges before me. Hence, half a year has gone by rather quickly.

However, today’s date of January 1 holds significance for me. The hourglass is half empty and the countdown is beginning.

I intend to make my remaining six months as your rabbi count. We can all learn from the words of the psalmist: “Teach us to count our days rightly, that we may obtain a wise heart.” Psalm 90.12