For Openers...

Part Of Simchah Plans:
The Rabbi Search

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The second story may sound vague-
offer, whether it is ultimately officiating
ly familiar. Just a different ending.
or making a referral to a colleague.
"Hello, Rabbi," this caller began.
Sometimes, though, just to keep things
"You don't know me, but I feel as if I
lively, I can't help doing a little kidding:
know you very well. I have friends
Caller: "Rabbi, my
mail.
who
are members of your synagogue
daughter
would
like
to
"Have we forgotten any-
and I have heard just the most glow-
marry a young accountant
thing for the wedding? Oh,
ing comments about you. Our family
from Cleveland."
yeah ... wait a minute. A
has discussed it at length, and we've
Me: "Wonderful. Urn
rabbi. Darn. I had a feeling
decided that you would be our first
has she found one?"
we'd overlooked something.
choice to officiate at our daughter's
Through all the years,
We need to find a rabbi."
wedding.
I hope you're available on
nothing
has
really
surprised
Call me cynical. Call me
Saturday
evening,
June 17 ..."
me.
Maybe
that's
because
I
sardonic. But call me truth-
"Let me check my calendar. Why,
was well prepared thanks to
ful, too, because I happen to
sure, that date looks clear. I'd be
the guidance I received from
know that this discussion
BOB ALPER
happy to meet with the couple and
an older colleague who
goes on more often than we'd
Special to The
discuss the possibilities."
shared two incidents from his
like to think it does.
Jew is h News
"That's wonderful. I'm so delighted
long and distinguished career.
For a rabbi, few satisfac-
that
you'll be able to officiate. I'll have
"Hello, Rabbi," his caller
tions equal the opportunity
them
call you tomorrow. And uh
began.
"You
don't
know
me,
but
I
feel
to officiate at the wedding of a young
rabbi.. What ... um ... what did you
as if I know you very well. I have
man or woman we've known through-
say your name was?" ❑
friends who are members of your syna-
out the years of their growing. But
gogue and I have heard just the most
during the last few decades, for better
glowing comments about you. Our
or for worse, we Jews have resumed
family has discussed it at great length,
our nomadic ways, moving from city
and we've decided that you would be
to city where we strike and then pull
our first choice to officiate at our
up shallow roots. Rabbis included.
daughter's wedding. I hope you're avail-
Add to that the high number of peo-
able on Saturday evening, June 24 ..."
ple who are unaffiliated with a syna-
"I'm afraid I can't. I'll be attending
gogue, plus those who choose a "neu-
the annual convention of my rabbinic
tral" place far from anybody's home-
organization."
town for their ceremony, and the
"Oh, I'm so disappointed. What are
dilemma of finding a rabbi becomes
we going to do? It seems as if every
understandable.
rabbi in town will be attending that
Every clergyman has a trove of nup-
convention ..."
tial stories. Mine includes this one:
"Rabbi, can you officiate at my wed-
ding? It will be May 13 at 1:30 p.m."
"Gosh, I'd love to but I've already
scheduled a wedding for 1 p.m. that
"Someone from the crew came over and said [in a Southern drawl], `Mazel Toy.'
day." "What? You mean that I'm being
That's not a [phrase] you hear often in North Carolina."
REJECTED by JUDAISM?"
— Actor Robin Williams, who's not Jewish, recalling reaction on his current
Most of the wedding calls from
movie set to his recent Academy Award nomination.
strangers begin in the exact same way.
Generally the people are sweet, polite
"We'll accept payment at the door, too!"
and appreciative of whatever help I can
— Young Israel of Southfield congregant Erwin Posner, during Shabbat
announcements
Saturday in response to a Jewish News story stating the cost for that
Rabbi Bob Alper is a stand-up comic
evening's
Rekindling
Shabbat melava malkah was payable before Shabbat.
and author.

et's see now: Hotel? All
set. Flowers? Ordered.
Caterer? Sent the deposit.
Band? Contract's in the

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