“It Has Lots to Do with Our Temple Leaders”

Just about every one of my rabbinic school classmates is now retired, some for a good number of years already. So, you could imagine that when I go to rabbinic conventions or I’m among friends, I’ll often get asked, “How about you?”

Truth is, I really enjoy my work. It makes a difference, each day, and I want to keep working as long as possible. I also enjoy the people I work with, including the other clergy, the staff, and especially the congregation’s leaders.

You see, anyone who works for a synagogue gets paid to walk into the building. Our members pay for the privilege, —what is more, our leaders pay for the privilege of leading. This is true even as serving as a temple leader these days is more demanding than ever, with concerns about security, antisemitism, challenges to Israel, and adapting to the post-COVID reality that continue to impact our congregations in quiet but significant ways.

Our leaders, beginning with Bill Glenn, our president, set a model for synagogue leadership. Consistently, at each meeting and with each conversation, they deliberate and decide selflessly by taking the good of the congregation as their guidepost and benchmark. We are fortunate for their leadership, and it is that devotion, more than anything else, that motivates me and keeps me going, year after year. I hope you join us at Shabbat services this evening at 6:30 to express your appreciation.

I know that, within a few years, I will look back on my career and say, “Now is the time!” But I can say that it is the devotion and sacrifice of leaders like we have here at Temple Shaaray Tefila that, in large part, bring me to work each day.

How fortunate we are for their leadership!

Rabbi Dennis Ross