Rabbinic Resolution Local rabbis share their hopes and aspirations for their congregations and the Jewish community. JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR STAFF WRITER T hey are not looking to shed a bunch of weight or stop smoking. In fact, they aren't really interested in anything for themselves. Instead, some area rabbis are making New Year's resolutions for their congregants and the com- munity. Although the holiday marked on the Gregorian calendar on Jan. 1 is secular in nature, some rab- bis see it as a chance to emphasize new beginnings to accomplish within the next 12 months. "Any opportunity to better our- selves is an opportunity we should take," said Rabbi Amy Brodsky, a part-time rabbi at Temple Kol Ami and community liaison with the Ecumenical Institute. And she is a prime example. As a communal worker for the insti- tute, she spends her days helping people of other faiths to under- Rabbi Amy Brodsky: Hopes for greater understanding. stand Judaism and the Jewish people. She would like Jews to take just as much interest in learning about the religious cus- toms and practices of their gentile neighbors. "I would love to see the Jewish community become more involved in interfaith issues, to see [its members] actually being involved in dialogue and going to programs to learn more," she said. As an educator at Kol Ami in charge of b'nai mitzvah candi- dates, Rabbi Brodsky also would like to see adults step up to the challenge of furthering their Jew- ish education. "I would love to see the Jewish community become more in- volved." One who shares her hopes for education is Rabbi Elliot Pachter of Congregation B'nai Moshe. His resolution for his congregants is that learning will lead to a greater end. "My wish is that my congre- gants will discover in the study and practice of Judaism a sense of peace," he said. Rabbi Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El is not only making a res- olution; he is embarking on a cam- paign for his congregants. In the new year, he is asking congre- gants to acquire basic Jewish rit- ual objects. To make it easy for congre- gants, he has given each of the first few months a designated rit- Five-Year Service Agreement Protect your invest- ment with preventive maintenance. Five years of free tune-ups, plus five free rentals of the Oreck floormachine. Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg: Already celebrated. Oreck Power Brush Weighs only 4.2 lbs. but strong enough to remove lint from clothes and drapes. Even spot dry cleans... and it's FREE*! The Companion Oreck XL Compact Canister Perfect for home or shop. 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(810) 737-6446 00reck Corp. 1996 All rights reserved This resolution is not made lightly, he said, considering the fact that as rabbi he will have to take a more active role in solicit- ing donations, a job he does not relish. "To say it is painful is an un- derstatement. A root canal would be more pleasurable," he said. While some rabbis are making their hopes and wishes known for the new year, Rabbi Arnie Sleutel- berg of Congregation Shit- Tikvah didn't indulge. "The secular new year is so frivolous. It is just a par- ty," he said. "It is not our new year." Instead, he prefers to focus on Rosh Hashanah as a time for re- flection. "I use our new year as a time for introspection and serious thought about the year ahead," he said. HEBREW BOOK and GIFT CENTER, INC. The Oreck Compact, Power Brush & Service Agreement are free with the purchase of the Most popular pkg." ••■■••■•■ pand and renovate its existing building, the congregation is more than halfway to its fund-raising goal. "My resolution for my con- gregants is that together we will do the unthinkable, the absolute unthinkable," he said. "I want us to have 100-percent participation in the rebuilding and refurbish- 6PITZEQ'6 ORECK Get our best! The Oreck XL Hypo-Allergenic 8 lb. Hotel Upright Filters 99.7% of breathable air particles down to 0.1 microns. Features a state-of-the art roller which rotates at over 6,500 times per minute, picking up dust mites, pet hair, pollen, lint and fine sand, all in one sweep. ual object. February is mezuzah month; March is kiddush cup month; April is Shabbat candle- sticks month. But the acquisition is not sim- ply for materials' sake. He wants the congregants to make use of the items and eventually attach feel- ings and memories to the objects. Rabbi David Nelson of Con- gregation Beth Shalom is looking for more practical goals for his con- gregants in the new year. 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