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Parody of John Denver's "Rocky Mountain Chai" (performed at AJ as part of
Rabbi Kobrin & Family Farewell on 6/9/2018)
You’re leavin’ in the summer, later in June.
Headed to Rodef Shalom to explore
You’ll leave Elkins Park behind you,
to start once again–
Yet your impact will stay here forever more.
When you first came to AJ, your life was far away.
Back in Austin, filled with song.
Though the humidity is tough on your curly, curly hair,
At least you brought your Deva stuff along.
You are headed to Rocky Mountain high.
We’re feignin’ smiles as we say g’bye.
We can raise our voices in a niggun lullaby;
Ya – da – da – da – dai (Yah-dai-dai-doh)
Ya – da – da – da – dai (Yah-dai-dai-doh)
We cling to what we’ve learned as you prepare to go,
As we sing and create memory
Though our hearts are heavy, we’ll try to have some fun
As Sim and Vivs strum ukulele
Your teaching will impact many hopes and dreams
your influence shown in choices made
Your vision for the world, and courage to take a stand
the urgency when there is so much at stake
And the Colorado Rocky Mountain chai
We’re feignin’ smiles as we say g’bye.
You can quote some Yitro, about how our Eagles fly
Rocky statue, bye.
It's Colorado, Rodef Shalom, Hi.
We’re feignin’ smiles as we say g’bye.
We’ll come to Denver so everyone’ll be high
Elevation is high, (in Colorado)
Rabbi could get high (high in Colorado)
Motivation to fly (to Colorado)
Rocky staue, bye. Colorado
Rocky Mountain, Hi. Colorado
Ya – da – da – da – dai (Yah-dai-dai-doh) ––– 4X
Rocky Statue, Bye. Rodef Shalom, Hi.
A Poem About Rabbis
Picture a Rabbi.
Close your eyes.
Now show me what you’ve got.
Ah, your rabbi comes through to you
On the old black and white TV.
Black: fedora, coat, pants, shoes
White: shirt
Gray: bushy beard
Your rabbi stares out from an old photo,
Propped up in the china cabinet
Next to the crystal pickle bowl.
His dusty Torah
Is pulled by oxen
(Or perhaps a steam locomotive).
He blesses wine, and bread,
And shushes little children.
OK.
I see your rabbi.
Come!
Look at what I’ve found:
A sparkling, glow-in-the-dark rabbi,
Best viewed in Deep Color.
My rabbi has wild curls,
And a purple dress.
My rabbi has ruby lips
And a megawatt smile.
Her shining, restless Torah pulls her
From sanctuaries
To coffee shops.
From picket lines
To hospital beds.
She sees you
As you would be seen
And blesses you with yourself.
So break out your magic markers
And color your rabbi in.
Unfurl his Torah and release him
From his monochrome days.
Join the glow-in-the dark rabbi
Wrestling G-d and man
In the 21st century.
Jeff Ward
Dear Rachel,
Here is a digital copy of the hand written note that I left in the collection box.
How do I say להתראות to a rabbi and friend with whom I would have liked to spend more time? For me your rabbinate at AJ has been about
-
people figuring out that we only sort of look alike
-
Living Judaism with enthusiasm and keeping social justice in mind
-
Megilat Ester/מגילת אסתר reading challenges
-
All night to dawn Tikkun L'ayl Shavuot/תקון ליל שבועות
-
Your relationships with all of the children and especially the care and time and learning that you did with the B'nai Mitzvah/בני מצוה kids
And finally you are the rabbi who helped me and my family eulogize and bury my father (ז׳ל),comforting us throughout the year and continuing to honor his memory. Your attention and kindness to me and especially to mom will be remembered always. I will never forget that the first morning after my dad had died that you were the first non-family member I saw. You came to my home with a copy of the Lamm book and we sat at the kitchen table. I told you what had happened and how I was trying to make sense of it. I felt cared for and supported and so appreciated how you had such a true sense of my dad. It is a sad memory, but one that I cherish. Thank you for your care and connection.
I wish you and your family all good things.
With blessing/בברכה,
Meryl Sussman
Rabbi Rachel I liked you from the moment you came to be interviewed at AJ.
It was Shabbat Va’Yikra in 2014 when you treated the congregation to a beautiful and meaningful sermon about HaShem calling Moshe to enter Ohel Moed for the first time.
Your lesson was about the small “Aleph”....in the word Va’Yikra and I connect this small א ״ “ to many things in my life.
——————————————
It was my pleasure and privilege teaching your lovely son Adin in second and third grade at PJDS.
His love of Judaism and the Hebrew language were remarkable and he often expressed it in his beautiful artwork as well.
——————————————
Rabbi Rachel, may you have much joy from both your children Noa
and Adin.
Best wishes to you and your family for a long life filled with good health and happiness. אמן ואמן!!
Your knowledge and dynamism will take you far!!!
Good Luck - בהצלחה
Fondly,
Berta Schwartz
Dear R. Kobrin,
The Waldstein family is so grateful for having your leadership these past few years. You set a wonderful example for our three girls. You embraced their questions and challenges and helped them grow spiritually. You made them feel welcome at AJ after they’ve left our home, always greeting them when they walked through the doors. That meant so much to us. For Dave and me, you presented intellectual conversations and helped us reshape how we define ourselves within Conservative Judaism. Thank you for bringing AJ into the 21st century, leading changes that are long overdue. I know the community where you are going is lucky to have you and your incredible family. We will miss you and hope to see you in Philly or Denver!
With Love,
Elissa, Dave, Sophia, Elana & Stephanie Waldstein
Rabbi Kobrin was there for me and my mom during her final days. She provided me spiritual support and helped me to guide mom at the end. After spending a couple hours sitting down with me and my brothers, she gave one of the finest eulogies imaginable to capture mom’s life and spirit. For that I will be forever grateful. I wish her the best as she moves forward with her new congregation.
–– Ben Felzer
