What could be more thrilling than returning to a place you love after three decades? Not much, and so I am absolutely delighted to (re)introduce myself to all of you. Some will recall me from my days in the early 1990’s as rabbi of Chevra Thilim, when the ink on my rabbinical ordination papers was still wet. I came with my friend, colleague, and classmate at both Penn and JTS, Rabbi Geoffrey Spector, whom I know many of you recall fondly. As I prepare to begin at Shir Chadash, I want to explain why I am excited to be returning to New Orleans. What has changed in the last thirty years, and what remains the same.
During my first stint in New Orleans, my oldest son, David, was born in Lakeside Hospital. David will turn thirty in a few months, and Phyllis and I have been blessed with two other children, Reuven (27) and Ethan (25). We’ve spent much of the last three decades living and working in Long Island, and Phyllis has become a very successful elementary school music teacher at PS 90 in Coney Island, Brooklyn – home of the aquarium, the Cyclone roller coaster, and the July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I’ve earned a Ph.D., served as a nursing home and hospice chaplain, taught rabbinics at List College/JTS, run ten marathons, had four dogs, attended three college graduations for my kids, and lived the life of a typical suburban dad. And as testament to the passage of time, my hair has turned almost completely gray, which I embrace as looking “distinguished” (a matter of opinion, I realize).
What has stayed the same? Well, I am still happily married to Phyllis Golden Hoffman, and we will be celebrating our thirty third anniversary by the time you read these words. My day still revolves around running, reading, Talmud study and the synagogue. Phyllis and I (still) have two golden retrievers, still love grilling outdoors, and still dislike cold weather. And Phyllis still makes the best seder meals in the world, including her famous chocolate mousse and flourless chocolate cake.
Most important, my passion for being a rabbi is unchanged from those early days of decades past. With about three quarters of my career behind me, I’ve resolved to make this the best decade of my entire rabbinate, bringing together the excitement of my younger self and the wisdom of my older self. I embrace equally the opportunity for advanced Talmud study with a chavruta (study partner) and the Friday nursery school renditions of “Dinosaur Knocking at the Door.” It’s a glimpse into my own past when I interact with young families, and a peek into the future when I learn with our senior groups.
I look forward to working with the entire staff and lay leadership of Shir Chadash, and especially Peter Title, whom Phyllis and I recall fondly from Chevra Thilim days. The nostalgia is fun, but we have much work to do. I am fully confident that we are all up to the challenge ahead and will meet it with all the wisdom, compassion, and vision the moment calls for.
I close with the wish that we all go, as one united community, “from strength to strength.”
Fondly,
