Dear Friends,
In this, my bat mitzvah year as a rabbi, I look back with great fondness.
I appreciate your willingness to journey with me Jewishly through music and meditation, prayer, and poetry, festivals and food. I hope these many diverse paths of approaching the Holy One have given you greater access to your neshama. Combining our rich tradition and practice in new and personal ways was always my objective.
I became a rabbi because of my love of Judaism. As I served the community, I realized that many Jews were not involved because they knew so little about it. I hope I have contributed in some small way to your understanding of our magnificent tradition and that you are making it your own.
Being part of your lives has enriched my life greatly. There was no greater privilege than being there to help when people needed me. Sometimes it was an extreme high, like the joy of performing bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings, when I witnessed the glow of joy and pride in the faces of the family. Other times, it was being there to support families in the heartache and grief of funerals.
I am deeply, deeply grateful to have been a part of your lives and wish you all good health, joy and contentment.
In peace and blessings,
Rabbi Melody