Rabbis gather for study and fellowship

Rabbis at the June Kallah

A dozen members of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island gathered at Temple Sinai, in Cranston, on June 16 for a day of study and to strengthen the bonds that connect them in service to the Jewish community.

Participants included rabbis serving Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and unaffiliated congregations and rabbis serving as chaplains, educators and organizational directors. The Board of Rabbis is led by Rabbi Sarah Mack of Temple Beth-El, in Providence.

The annual Kallah brings the rabbis together to learn with an invited guest speaker. This year’s speaker was Rabbi Jonathan Slater of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rabbi Slater co-directs IJS’s Clergy Leadership Program. He is the author of “A Partner in Holiness” (Jewish Lights, 2014) and “Mindful Jewish Living” (Aviv Press, 2004). Rabbi Slater received his ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1979, and served as rabbi at Beth Am in Santa Rosa, California, for 19 years. 

Together, the rabbis studied Hasidic commentaries on the weekly Torah portions that reflect on some of the challenges of being a rabbi. The material prompted discussions among the rabbis about their own experiences and reflections on the rabbinate.

“Leading a Jewish community as a rabbi can be a lonely pursuit if it isolates you from your colleagues,” said Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser of Temple Sinai, who hosted the event. “It’s important for us to get together like this regularly to study our tradition, to share our experiences, and to draw spiritual strength from each other. I feel so fortunate to have such a gifted and generous group of colleagues here in Rhode Island.”

The Kallah was funded in part by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, which paid the speaker’s fees and provided a Kosher lunch.