Wednesday,
June 23rd at
7:30 PM

First Friday Family Shabbat
6:00 PM - Snacks
6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat
Pot Luck Dinner to follow

Fourth Friday
7:00 PM - Dinner
8:00 PM - Service and Oneg/Discussion led by
Stephen Hanks: "Haiti After The Quake:
An Eyewitness Report."

Rabbi Goodman will be
joined at Union Temple
by local clergy and the
GLBT community and
friends in an interfaith
service of comfort

Minus a few family acknowledgements, these were my remarks during the extraordinary evening on which you honored me with a celebration of my 25th anniversary in the Rabbin- ate, and my 18th (chai), as part of the Union Temple family.

When I was first contemplating applying to Rabbinic school, I went to speak with a few well-recommended people who were in a position to advise me. Rabbi Mark Goldman had been a pianist, and had studied at the Curtis Institute with Rudolf Serkin. That was an ex- tremely valuable talk. I’m grateful that all through these years Mark and I have had a very

special friendship and connection. But also, and perhaps even more to the point, I went to speak with Rabbi Deborah Prinz. Deborah had been at HUC in Cincinnati at the same time as Steve, though I didn’t know Steve yet at this time. This was early in 1979, and Deborah was Assistant Rabbi at Central Syna- gogue in Manhattan. In 1979, there weren’t many women out there - if you counted on your fingers, you couldn’t fill two hands. While we were talking, a young man came into the office wanting to see the rabbi. After a bit of an exchange, he finally “got it” thatshe was the rabbi. I can only characterize it as a moment of weirdness. She answered his question, and he left. And she said to me, “Well, you just witnessed a typical reaction to – me.” And then our conversationreally began.

But for Deborah, and for Sally Preisand, and Roz Gold, in Steve’s class, and Ellen Weinberg (Dreyfus), and the few others whoreally were the first, as for me and my classmates, it wasn’tabout weirdness. It wasn’t about wanting to create a stir just for its own sake, or deliberately start a revolution. It was about love – love of being Jewish, love of Judaism and Jewish life, love of the Jewish people, love of God - and wanting to study, and to serve the Jewish community. It was about wanting a wayin – to the People and faith that we loved. That’s what it’salways been about. That’s what it’sstill about.

During my first few years after ordination, particularly in my involvement with the WRN (the Women’s Rab- binic Network, for which I currently serve as the New York Regional Rep), I used to express my fondest hope that the time would come when I wouldnot knowall the women in the Rabbinate. Now, 25 years after my ordination, I can tell you, most assuredly, that this wish has come true. Between us in the Reform Movement, and the women of the Reconstructionist and Conservative Movements, I believe there are about 800 women in the Rabbinate worldwide. When I look at all the delightful girls, many now young women, whom I have had the privilege of knowing here at Union Temple, I know that because of my presence on our pulpit, and also because of Kerith, and Mary, and Maria, these young women know that there is no barrier to them in the world of religion, nor should there be inany profession into which their interests lead them. I had no such role model in Judaism. They do - many. And, so too, do all the great young men here. They know that the pro- fessional world includes women, and that their life’s work, whatever it turns out to be, will be carried out side by side with women; and, one hopes, in a fully integrated and inclusive community regarding gays and lesbi- ans, and those who, for whatever reason, may not have fit into the traditional visions of previous generations.

But of course, one of my most precious gifts during these years has been all of you. Each one of you is part of my life. As I have lived, and hopefully grown over the years I have known you, I have grown with you. Some- times we agree, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we’re very happy. Sometimes things are tougher. The weddings and the baby-namings and b’nei and b’not mitzvah are always great fun. The losses and the funerals are very sad indeed. And, from time to time, we get the opportunity to come together for celebrations like this one, and we realize that we’re a family – a family of Jews, and those who love Jews – that does not in- clude everyonedespite who they are, butbecause of who they are; that is notdi mini shed by our differences, but rather,enriched by them.

There is no way that I can sufficiently thank you for coming this evening, and express my gratitude to those who made it possible. But please understand how profoundly grateful I am for this evening, and for every day and evening that I spend in your midst. You are the people of the community that I have been driven to serve

On that first blind date, from the moment I opened the door, I knew – and I was right! Over these past 30 years, virtually on a daily basis, I understand more fully what a profound, fine, brilliant, expansive, extraordi- nary person my husband Stephen is. I am extremely fortunate. I continue to learn from him and derive un- mitigated pleasure from being with him. He is one of the two best things in my life.

The other best thing in my life is Philip, my incredibly gorgeous son. But he’s not only gorgeous – he’s funny, and sensitive, and well spoken, and thoughtful. It is my hope that he will learn to use his gifts wisely, and with strength and self-confidence.

The two people who arenot here are my mother and father, Jeanette and Phil, zichronam liv’rachah. While my father died before he ever could have imagined such a thing as this, at least my mother lived to see several graduations, a marriage, an ordination, and a grandson. I know how very fortunate I am to have had two such sweet, honorable, sincere, gentle people as my parents. But they are here in my heart, and I hope also in the memories of those here who knew one, or perhaps even both of them. I will love them forever.

serigraph, and to the congregation for your kindness in giving it to me; to Arlene Greendlinger, for photo- graphing the whole event; to Leo Silverstein and David Vogel, for their beautiful smiles and invaluable assis- tance in a variety of tasks throughout the evening; to John Golomb, for keeping us all together in one place and in one piece, and managing the entire evening; and to our staff:Lorraine, Winston and Patrick, for eve- rything they do for all of us, this time and all the time. Rav todot – many, many kind thanks to all.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech HaOlam, shehecheyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh: Blessed are You, Eternal God, Ruler of the Universe, for giving us life, sustaining us, and for granting me, and all of us, the gift of life, so as to be able to celebrate this joyous occasion together.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 18th, WHEN WE WILL BID FAREWELL TO CANTOR