Moses, Aaron, and Miriam have led the Israelites for forty
long years. Together, the three have guided,
sustained, and inspired their wandering people.
Now, as the Promised Land approaches, Aaron and Miriam have died and
Moses doesn’t have much longer to live.
The people need new leadership.
God tells Moses: “Single
out Joshua ben Nun, an inspired man … and commission him in sight of [the
community]. Invest him with some of your
authority” (Numbers 27:18-20).
This week marks a similar transition in the life of Temple
Emanuel. Rabbi Jason Bonder has arrived,
moved in, and gotten to work. He’s consulting
with Religious School teachers. He’s
planning High Holy Days. He’s met with
bar mitzvah students, answered questions for families, and taught Torah study
while I was on vacation last week. He’ll
lead services with me and Emily for the first time on July 24.
I am no Moses, but I am overjoyed to “commission Rabbi Jason
in sight of the community and invest him with some of my authority.” That’s because Rabbi Jason has earned his own
authority through five years of rigorous study and on-the-job training at
synagogues, Hillel, religious school and Hebrew High. Rabbi Jason’s rabbinic voice is good and
important and caring, and it will resonate with this community. He will bring wisdom, insight, enthusiasm,
and humor to Temple Emanuel. Rabbi Jason
is my partner in caring for the Jews of the Southeast Valley, in charting the
course for Temple Emanuel, and steering us towards our goal(s). He is indeed an inspired man.
In the two months until the High Holy Days, there will be
lots of opportunities to meet him:
havdallahs, learning sessions, onegs, and bowling and pizza parties with
our kids. If your havurah would like to
invite him over, please drop him a line.
His email address is RabbiJason@EmanuelofTempe.org
– feel free to email him some words of welcome!
Rabbi Jason will be formally installed as Temple Emanuel’s
rabbi on August 28. Please come and take
part in the ceremony.
Welcome, Rabbi Jason Bonder.
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