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Rabbinic Reflections
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8

January 11 • 2018

jn

ife transitions provide the
positive influence on many.
opportunity to reflect on
I am thankful beyond words for
the past and contemplate
having had the opportunity to be with
the future. As I transition to Rabbi
people at moments of life passages.
Emeritus, I pause to look back on the
When called upon to share in times
years since my ordination in 1970, even of joy or sorrow, happiness or disap-
as I look forward to the years
pointment, it was a privilege to
ahead.
be invited to be a part of these
Reflecting on 47 years
lifecycle events. Whether it was
of rabbinic service is like
to increase the joy or to lessen
reflecting on a lifelong mar-
the trauma of loss, the unique
riage. There are myriad
rabbinic role in these situations
memorable moments, many
was always meaningful. This
highlights, a great deal of
significant pastoral role is to me
fulfillment and some disap-
most important, signifying the
pointments. These moments Rabbi Herbert
personal connection between a
fill me with a deep sense of
rabbi
and his congregants. I am
A. Yoskowitz
gratitude for the gift of my
honored to have been a part of
rabbinate and for the bless-
these many sacred moments.
ing of having served as a “teacher and
It was this connection, hearing the
preacher in Israel,” a Rav to so many. I
pain of loss expressed by congregants
experience the psalmists’ words: “It is
that resulted in The Kaddish Minyan:
good to give thanks to HaShem … tov
From Pain to Healing, Twenty Personal
l’hodot La’ Shem.”
Stories. I am thankful to have compiled
In expressing gratitude, my abun-
and edited this book, which brought
dance of thankfulness can be grouped.
comfort to thousands of people in
I am grateful for the presence in my life Detroit and nationally. I am thankful
of three rabbinic mentors. Their influ-
to the 20 individuals who shared their
ence continues to this day.
personal stories of grief and resilience
Rabbi Norman Frimer, z’l, Hillel
to help others heal from loss.
director at Brooklyn College, lived his
It is always nice to look back on
rabbinate. He inspired me to enter this accolades. So, I reflect on the six
profession.
Solomon Schecter awards honoring
Chancellor Louis Finkelstein, z’l, my
my educational programs in congrega-
greatest teacher at Jewish Theological
tions. Then, I am proud and thankful to
Seminary, taught the importance of
have been part of the successful merg-
rabbinic leadership in interfaith rela-
er of Beth Achim and Adat Shalom.
tions. He continued our correspon-
This success has been highlighted as
dence after my ordination and encour- the model congregational merger in
aged my interfaith efforts as an Army
the Conservative movement, and I was
chaplain. These efforts became the
privileged to address the national con-
model interfaith program for the U.S.
ference of the Rabbinical Assembly on
Fifth Army. I honor his wisdom and
this accomplishment. Since then, col-
treasure his correspondence.
leagues who are confronting this issue
Rabbi Jacob B. Agus, z’l, the most
continue to consult me.
scholarly pulpit rabbi of his day, taught
I would be remiss if I did not publicly
me that a successful pulpit rabbi
acknowledge I am abundantly and
should have a specialty beyond rabbin- ever thankful for the love, devotion and
ics. His guidance inspired me to pursue support of my dear wife and our chil-
both graduate courses in history and
dren. They encouraged and enabled
a Bush Leadership Fellowship in bio-
my rabbinate. They understood when I
ethics (in Minnesota, at Georgetown
was home less frequently than they or
and at St. Bart’s Hospital, London.) I
I would have liked as I served the con-
am grateful for his presence in my life
gregation and community.
and regard him as a second father.
Now, I begin the proverbial next
I am ever thankful for having had
chapter. I look forward to continu-
the gift of teaching Judaism to congre-
ing teaching at Oakland University
gants of all ages, to community mem-
William Beaumont School of Medicine
bers and in interfaith forums. To have
(OUWB). I am grateful for the oppor-
had the opportunity of sharing Torah;
tunity and collegiality of my fellow
helping parents guide their children
ethicists, even as I am thankful that
in the ways of Torah; and teaching the
my graduate education and experience
importance of keeping our traditions
qualify me to educate the next genera-
and loving Israel from generation to
tion of physicians in bioethics.
generation has been a privilege and a
To quote a Sinatra song, “Were there
joy.
regrets? I’ve had a few; but then again,
I will long remember the satisfaction too few to mention…” It has been a ful-
derived from leading congregational
filling rabbinic run. I give thanks, most
trips to Israel and Jewish communi-
of all to God, for enabling me to teach
ties of the world to study our heritage
and model Jewish life these 47 years. I
on site. I hope that my teaching had a
am immeasurably thankful. •