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Speech by Michele Rifkin on Rabbi Kobrin’s Final AJ Shabbat 6/23/18
It is with sadness, loss and gratitude that we stand before you to acknowledge and thank Rabbi Kobrin for her leadership over the past 4 years. Her imprint on our family has been remarkable.
We have shared many things with Rabbi Kobrin during her tenure at AJ and we don’t have time to recount them all. Instead, we thought we would acknowledge some of the gifts and Middot, or values, she has shared with our family, our congregation and our community.
They include a generosity of spirit, openness, creativity, compassion, flexibility and an ability to reach out and connect with a diversity of people
We experienced her generosity of both time and spirit as we faced the deaths of Neil’s mom and our dear cousin, both of whom we cared for in our home. She was responsive and provided great counsel and comfort. She didn’t just perform her role as Rabbi, but lingered, making connections, building bridges, listening, and truly being present.
When we couldn’t find a date for Arielle and Cody’s Auf Ruf, she was both creative and flexible, suggesting a ceremony to be held at the pre-wedding Shabbat dinner. She gathered us around A&C, provided them with blessings, followed by joyous dance. It was magical and set the tone for a most special weekend.
Her outreach as rabbi of AJ, was evident during Moed services, community vigils, partnerships with Beth Shalom and other congregations. We were always surprised at the diversity of congregants to whom she reached out and connected. Our Living Judaism class was a perfect example of this outreach. Together as a diverse and representative group of congregants and outside community members, we learned from Rabbi Kobrin and from one another, sharing a sacred time and space.
Her Rabbinate here, focused on helping us love our Judaism. She explained prayers to deepen our kavanah and worked hard to bring meaning and ruach.
We hope we carry on some of the new traditions from Rabbi Kobrin, most notably for us, creating the our heavenly white Yom Kippur. The fact that as a congregation, we come together and through the simple act of donning white, we are able to elevate our holiness. This tradition reinforced for us the power and capacity of our AJ community. Rabbi Kobin, thank you for that gift and all the goodness you’ve brought to us. We will surely miss you and we are grateful for the imprint you have made. May you continue to touch, enlighten and inspire everyone who has the privilege of knowing you as we do.
Al Nadel’s Tribute to Rabbi Kobrin – June 23, 2018
I distinctly recall that during the search for a new rabbi after Rabbi Rosenbloom’s tenure, there were focus groups, surveys and the like. Mine, probably like many others, listed characteristics of a rabbi I’d like to have at AJ, principally:
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a good pulpit Rabbi who can speak with interesting and meaningful sermons or Devrai Torah that have a beginning, a middle and an end, all connected together and that makes sense;
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a knowledgeable teacher who can really teach and help me understand Judaism better;
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a people-person rabbi who can connect with current and future congregants of all ages generally, and especially in times of simchas, illnesses and unfortunately, but realistically, for funerals and Shiva periods;
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and someone who can connect with younger, prospective people and who can help bring them into the AJ community.
You know, I and we wanted the ideal human being and rabbi, someone for everyone who is great at everything!
I also noted one other thing, though I was and am quite friendly with Rabbi Rosenbloom. I was looking for a Rabbi, not a buddy.
In my opinion, in Rabbi Kobrin, we achieved all that I was seeking, except one: she has become a buddy. And I’m quite happy with that.
I have a couple of mottos. In addition to the traditional Boy Scout motto, which I truly believe – “Be Prepared” - my own motto that has proven to be a truism at least for me – “Nothing is easy!” Rabbi Kobrin is a good scout. She is always is prepared. Regarding the second, nothing has been easy here at AJ and not for any Rabbi, including Rabbi Kobrin. She has weathered that aspect with fortitude and grace. We should all be grateful.
My wish for you, Rabbi, is that things will be easier for you as you, (regretfully for me and many of us) move on.
I expect that Sandy and I will see you in Denver, at which time, we’ll collect on that dinner we won at a preschool auction a couple of years ago!
Fare well, but certainly not farewell.
Speech by Carra Minkoff on Rabbi Kobrin’s Final AJ Shabbat 6/23/18
Thank you to the many community members who have lent their energy to the projects and events surrounding Rabbi Kobrin’s farewell.
An important thank you goes to Karen Moses. In a few moments, we will be making Motzi. Atop the challot, Rabbi, you will see a magnificent challah cover that was created for you by Karen on behalf of the entire AJ Community. When we adjourn to the Orleans, there is a display where will exhibit the cover this afternoon. There you can read about the symbolism and the lovely intention she put forth in making this.
These last weeks have allowed me personally to think about the role a rabbi plays in the life of a community and in my family’s life. My role in heading this collaborative effort to say farewell has been an honor.
As we wrote in our parody of John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” that was performed at the open mic night,
Your teaching will impact many hopes and dreams
your influence shown in choices that we make
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.
And now, as we prepare to welcome you to the lectern, I invite everyone to join me in a niggun…
Again, something we sang in our Open Mic night parody:
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)
3 more times!
Speech by Bernie Dishler on Rabbi Kobrin’s Final AJ Shabbat 6/23/18
The resume started with:
I am eager to serve a diverse, intellectual, and spiritually motivated community a dynamic
congregation that has extraordinary possibilities for outreach and the potential to be a hallmark for the next generation of Conservative Jewry. I believe that Adath Jeshurun could be that congregation. I am passionate about building vibrant Jewish community and forging strong relationships with congregants of all ages. I love to lead engaging, participatory services and teach a broad variety of classic and modern texts inspiring communities through the rich meaning and deep relevance of our tradition. And I love to listen, hearing the narratives that make each of us who we are, and framing these stories in a Jewish context through lifecycle events, ritual, and communal connection. I look forward to having the opportunity to speak with you and explore the possibilities together.
The Search Committee was bowled over. This is definitely someone we need to interview. I was ready to offer her the position immediately. There were a number of issues. Is the Congregation ready for someone with such forward thinking ideas. Are we ready to have a female rabbi?
After Rabbi Kobrin accepted the position and was ensconced in her rabbinate, I wrote to her and asked if we could have lunch. She accepted and the first lunch became one of many. We started out with me giving her explanations and history of Adath Jeshurun. And continued on discussing the events at AJ , Elkins Park and the world. She was not only interested in the future of her rabbinate at AJ but she was very interested in the future of AJ and the Jewish Community of Elkins Park. She developed great relationships with “the competition” the clergy at Beth Sholom. And they worked towards trying to find a way to merge some or all of the activities of AJ and Beth Sholom. Ultimately the Congregations could not find that magic path towards merger.
What I learned about Rabbi Kobrin during these four years is that she is one of the most ethical people I know. She is authentic. (I am the third person to say authentic. Rabbi: you taught us that something that happens three times is important.) She cares about people. She is a great teacher. She will be missed by many. I predict that we will be reading about Rabbi Kobrin when the outstanding rabbis of this country will be discussed. Attention will be paid to her vision of the next generation of Conservative Jewry. Rabbi: we wish you and your family good health to enjoy Denver and keep working to get your message heard.
Speech by Naomi Atkins on Rabbi Kobrin’s Final AJ Shabbat 6/23/18
In the fall of 2017, a diverse group: Jews, non-Jews, members, non-members, converts, the learned and the seekers, came together at AJ with Rabbi Kobrin to begin a course titled “Living Judaism”. There was a set curriculum, and handouts, and guided questions.
The group, under Rabbi’s guidance, became close and trusting in a way that enabled both questioning and sharing. What we came to discover as well was Rabbi’s value and extraordinary gifts as a teacher. Beyond merely informative, she was enthusiastic, supportive, ever positive, and non-judgmental — irrespective of the background and fund of knowledge each student may have had. Her skills as an interactive educator inspired comfort and trust, and an eagerness to tackle a variety of topics pertinent to our spiritual lives,
In addition, Rabbi Kobrin was remarkably comfortable in sharing her own stories – from her awakening as an observant Jew, to the stresses, strains, and rewards in her life as a rabbi and as a twenty-first century Jewish woman. Those of us who were a part of that group realize how lucky we were to have shared in this experience.
We could have continued; we’d only begun to scratch the surface.
Thank you, Rabbi.
Naomi and Skip Atkins
Farewell Blessing by Robin Minkoff for Rabbi Rachel Kobrin
June 23, 2018 / 10 Tammuz 5758
Did you know that there are 10 categories of Jewish angels? Here’s the hierarchy in which Maimonides lists them in the Mishneh Torah, from highest to lowest:
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Chayot haKodesh
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Ophanim
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Erelim
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Chashmalim
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Seraphim
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Malachim
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Elohim
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B’nai Elohim
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Kruvim, and
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Ishim.
Fifth on the list are the Seraphim who are described in Chapter 6 of the Book of Isaiah as 6-winged celestial beings with a fiery passion for doing God’s work. They are the angels at the core of the communally-repeated version of the Kedusha.
When reading that chapter, one can hardly resist picturing Isaiah’s vision of God in the heavenly Temple, seated on a throne, surrounded by the Seraphim who use 2 of their wings to cover their eyes, 2 to cover their feet, and 2 to fly. Isaiah describes seeing and hearing a chorus of them calling one to another and echoing the phrase:
כבודו הארץ כל מלוא צבאות ה׳ קדוש קדוש קדוש
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole world is full of God’s glory.”
When we recite those same words during the Kedusha, our human voices are meant to evoke that heavenly chorus. At the same time, our choreographed rocking up upon the balls of our feet three times as we say each “Kadosh” symbolizes the Seraphim fluttering as they recite that line of praise.
Truly, the Kedusha invites us to easily and fully participate in a thoroughly magnificent moment of prayer. The pinnacle of the Amidah, our unified voices and actions have the capacity to bring the angels to the here and now!
Thank you, Rachel, for the gift of teaching me about the essence and power of the Kedusha. My deeper understanding of it has forever elevated my davvening.
And now, I offer you this blessing:
(Chant)
Misheberach Eloheynu Avraham, Yitzchak v’Yaakov – Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, v’Leah…
May the one who blessed our ancestors, bless you, Rachel Mara Kobrin, with an abundant accompaniment of angels. May they lift you up wherever you are, as you lead, teach, pray, dance, sing, enliven, and build the Jewish People. V’nomar, Amen.
Speech by Anne Fassler on Rabbi Kobrin’s Final AJ Shabbat 6/23/18
Rabbi Kobrin, we hope today’s service, which has been lovingly planned by dozens of dedicated and appreciative congregants, conveys to you how much we have gained from your time here as our rabbi.
When you first came to us, you sent out an erev Shabbat email to the congregation. In it, you wrote:
In order to live a full and rich Jewish life, we need many forms of Jewish connection -- the serious and the fun, the quiet and the exuberant, the intellectual and the emotional.
I think this sentiment perfectly captures your approach to Judaism. As our rabbi, you have taught us that there are many doors through which a person can find their way into the congregation. You have shown us that engagement and connection with Judaism can take many different forms. Our family was lucky to have you here for Lucy’s bat mitzvah just last weekend. Her conversations with you about her parasha, about G-d, and about life in general, added a depth and breadth to her bat mitzvah preparation that I know meant a great deal to her.
I, too, feel lucky to have been president of AJ when you first arrived. Our weekly coffee meetings would begin with synagogue business but often developed into conversations about our hopes for the future of Conservative Judaism, and how it could be more accessible to different kinds of people in the community. It has been a privilege to call you my rabbi and friend and to be able to dream a little bit with you.
You have set an example for this congregation of how to live an authentic Jewish life in a world that often challenges our sense of fairness and justice. Your dedication to tikun olam, and unwavering commitment to important social issues such as gun control, immigration, women’s rights and religious intolerance have shown us that your rabbinate is not limited to the four walls of the synagogue.
During your time with us here at AJ, we have sung niggunim together, studied together, danced and cried together. May your new congregation in Denver gain strength from your passion, may you find satisfaction and peace in your new position and may we strive to continue to walk the path you have laid for us.
Speech by Judy Izes on Rabbi Kobrin’s Final AJ Shabbat 6/23/18
Rabbi Kobrin, for four years, AJ has been blessed to have you as a spiritual leader. In that time, you have blessed us by welcoming our new babies, holding our hands and soothing us when we are sick, giving us guidance when we have questions, dancing with us at our simchas and providing comfort to us when we mourn. You have been a teacher, a niggun leader, a scholar, an adviser, an imparter of wisdom. You even became a member of the AJ Beth Sholom players and garnered rave reviews in you cameo roles as the rabbi in Shrek and bottle dancer in Fiddler on the Roof.
You have faced challenges and you have also challenged us – you has challenged us to dream of who we can become and how we can be our best selves. You challenged us by discussing political and humanitarian issues and often spoken out against injustice. You even had the courage to declare on social media that you do “not have a true appreciation for “the Wawa” (to be sure the word “THE” is properly used before “Acme” but never before “Wawa”) While I considered presenting you with a Hoagie Fest T-shirt – I thought that the spectacular tie dye would surely win you over, I opted to present you with a bracelet containing words that I think have special meaning for the dignified way you conduct yourself as a rabbi and as a human being. These words, when first uttered, were an admonition – not a compliment. Almost immediately, they became a rallying cry. The bracelet in this box bears the words: “Nevertheless she persisted.” Rabbi Kobrin - May your persistence to build strong and loving Jewish communities and to rally against injustice continue to be a blessing for us all. And, as you so beautifully bless those becoming bar and bat mitzvah on this bimah, may your life in Denver hold for you and your family even more than you believe you deserve.
Speech by Sandy Nadel on Rabbi Kobrin’s Final AJ Shabbat 6/23/18
If not for Rabbi Kobrin I probably wouldn’t be here with you today.
Rabbi Kobrin was instrumental in my conversion to Judaism. She was my teacher, my counselor, my friend, and my role model, showing me what a modern Jewish life looks like. She has encouraged me to embrace Judaism on my level, making it relevant to my life now.
As many of you know, Rabbi Kobrin performed our wedding ceremony. Her teachings and explanations of Jewish tradition deeply impacted our many family members and friends who had no previous experience with Judaism.
Over the past few years, Rabbi Kobrin has shown us how to handle adversity with grace and strength. We have watched her mature into a dynamic speaker and she has taught us how to fight for social justice with passion. As Thomas Jefferson once said – “a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing.” But Rabbi Kobrin showed us that we can fight with fervor, not fury - a fine line that few can dance along. And boy does she dance! You should see her do the mummers strut!!
What resonates with me most though are Rabbi Kobrin’s blessings for those called to the Torah for Aliyot. She has a special gift for connecting Torah in a personal way for each congregant - usually bringing tears to my eyes.
I’ll miss you and wish you and your family the best. See you in Denver
