When I first arrived in Charlotte, congregational President Jonathan Howard asked me to make a list of the factors that drew me to Beth El. Many of those factors – the strong programming, the cutting-edge worship, the warmth of the congregation – have proven to be absolutely true. This is a remarkable community, and I feel privileged every day to be able to serve you as a rabbi and teacher.

My first months here have been filled with learning both about myself and about the congregation. So in honor of my having been here for 9 months, here are a few observations about things that are uniquely Beth El, and what I think they say about us. Here is (part of) what I have learned:

1. I’ve learned that at Temple Beth El, the onegs matter as much as the services.
And it’s not just because of Chef Lori’s desserts! In fact, Shabbat is just as much about gathering with the community as it is about prayer. The great Jewish writer (and Charlottean) Harry Golden used to quote his father regarding his reasons for attending services: “You know my friend Ginsburg? Ginsburg goes to shul to talk to God. I go to shul to talk to Ginsburg.” Although we tend to think of the synagogue as a place to pray, it is also a place to be together. The Hebrew word for synagogue, Beit K’nesset, simply means “gathering place.” Our horizontal Jewish connections – those that we make with other human beings – are as important as our vertical connections to God. Temple Beth El can be our portal to both.

2. I’ve learned the difference between Kabbalat Shabbat, Welcoming Shabbat, Congregational Shabbat, and Shabbat Services.
Believe me, it took a while. What is amazing is that each type of service offers something different in terms of prayer style, formality, music, congregational participation, and even the prayer books themselves. We are truly a congregation made up of many congregations; each of us has different needs and preferences when it comes to worship. The beauty of Reform Judaism is that none of these is better, more authentic, or more Jewish than any other. Each one of them is “our typical service,” and that speaks volumes about us as a community of worshippers.

3. I’ve learned that at Beth El you don’t have to be a Senior Sage to get your A.C.T. together and S.P.I.C.E. up your M.O.J.O. in F.I.J.I.
These are, of course, the abbreviations for some of the congregation’s many classes and programs. Learning is perhaps the most important act in Jewish life. In fact, the Talmud (Tractate Shabbat 127a) teaches, “Study of Torah is equal to doing all of the mitzvot, because it leads to a life of mitzvah.” So whether it’s studying toward an Achievement Certificate in Torah, or trying to Find your Inner Jewish Identity, the important thing is that we grow as Jews by growing in our knowledge and understanding of our own tradition. This community has a class for each of us, regardless of Hebrew level, prior knowledge,or ability to decipher acronyms! (And by the way, if you don’t know what all of the abbreviations stand for, give me a call. We’ll find the right one for you.)

4. I’ve learned that Cantor Bernard’s bulletin articles are almost always twice as long as everyone else’s.
You’re welcome.

There is much about Beth El that is unique and worthy of celebration. Thank you again for welcoming my family and me into this extraordinary congregation.

L’Shalom,
Rabbi Micah