Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

I am using my weekly blog to announce an exciting opportunity that, at first blush, would seem to be a “me” opportunity but, in reality, is very much an “us” opportunity. 

After being nominated by my seminary, the Academy for Jewish Religion (NY), through Dr. Ora Horn Prouser, CEO and academic dean, and after approval of my subsequent application, I have been admitted as a Fellow to the national Clergy Leadership Incubator. This is a two-year program that works with a select group of rabbis from all over the country to develop their vision for alternative synagogue communities.  

The program is not theoretical but applied to our specific work. It is a program that will give me access to a mentor over the two years, a cohort of similarly minded rabbinic Fellows in the program, and continued contact and support from Rabbi Sid Schwarz. Rabbi Schwarz is the leading voice in the country for alternative and transformative approaches to synagogue life. (The program also involves three retreats and a lot of reading.)

The reason I say this is an “us” process is that, while I will be the one directly participating and in direct contact with a mentor and Rabbi Schwarz, I will be reaching out to all of our Kol Ami community for continual feedback and participation in creating “our” vision. I anticipate we will be seeking out voices in addition to our present community, those yet to be part of our Kol Ami family. I am thinking of this incredible opportunity as being able to access wonderful consultants to further our vision, to greatly enhance our outreach efforts, and to have a significant impact on the broader Kansas City Jewish community.

The actual program will have its initial kickoff this summer, with it beginning in earnest after the fall holiday period. In the meantime, I am always eager to hear about your own vision and aspirations for our very special urban Jewish community.