Clergy Voice
Quarterly updates from Temple’s clergy
Spring 2025
Dear Friends,
In our tradition, there are many ways to say goodbye. The Talmud tells us that the proper way to say goodbye is lech l’shalom, which means, “go toward peace.” In Israel, however, we say, lehitraot, which means, “until we see each other again.”
As Rabbi Zimmerman shared in a letter to our congregation in December, my time at Temple Israel will conclude this June. My husband, Jonathan, and our three children are deeply grateful for the time we spent here in Minneapolis. It has been an honor to serve this community and to be with you in times of both celebration and mourning. Together, we have joined our voices in song and prayer through the awe of the High Holy Days, the sorrow of October 7, and the joy of our weekly Shabbat celebrations.
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to our incredible team of clergy, led by Rabbi Zimmerman, as well as our staff and lay leaders who are committed each day to the pursuit of Temple’s mission and vision. More than anything, however, I would like to thank each and every one of you for welcoming me and my family so warmly into this community. We will always cherish the time we spent with you and are grateful to you for allowing us to be part of your lives.
I hope that you will join me for the Shabbat service on Friday, May 2, immediately following the celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. We will welcome Artists-in-Residence and world-renowned musical prayer leaders of Nava Tehila, who will enhance our Shabbat service with their uplifting original sounds. I hope to see you there so that we can say lehitraot, wishing each other well until we see each other again.
B’virkat shalom – With blessings of peace,
Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer
Winter 2024
Friends, As I sit writing this it is nearly 90 degrees in mid-September here in Minneapolis, but these words will reach your home as October becomes November. It is during this time that Minnesotans prepare for the season that many love and others could do without, but which defines life for all of us in the Upper Midwest: winter.
As a child in Minnesota I didn’t like the winter; it involved waiting at school bus stops in frigid air and being sent out to recess on frozen playgrounds. But, I must confess: after living in California for 12 years, with its seasons of floods and wildfires, I now find winter in Minnesota glorious.
Do you ever pause and allow yourself to be spellbound by a soaring sunrise over frozen water? Or by the trees who dare to be gorgeous with snowflakes and ice hanging off just so? Winter can be spiritual and offer surprising ways to be aware of the magic and awe of God’s creation.
Yet, the beauty and the cold can be isolating. With this year’s theme being connection, how do we connect during this time when nature is dormant? We all deserve cozy nights curled up on the couch with a blanket, perhaps with a fire if you have a fireplace. We Minnesotans are experts at creating warmth amidst the snow.
As the days grow shorter over the coming months, we invite you to join us for a variety of opportunities to connect at Temple. For the second year in a row we will be coming together the day before Thanksgiving for Pack Away Hunger, to pack food and other critical supplies for our neighbors in need. We will also have two opportunities to celebrate Chanukah together: On Friday, December 27, our Friday night service during Chanukah will include Chanukah music, menorah lighting and Chanukah treats at our oneg. And because Chanukah falls during winter break this year when many families are traveling, we will hold our annual Chanukah celebration for JEWL families a bit early, on December 13. We will also have the chance to honor Jeri Saad for her incredible 45 years of service to Temple Israel at that Shabbat service.
And finally, I would be deeply honored if you would join me for my installation on Friday, November 29 at 6:00 p.m. Two beloved colleagues from San Francisco, Rabbi Sydney Mintz and Cantor Marsha Attie, will join our clergy team for this special service. I’m excited for Temple Israel to meet these two who are so dear to me, and for them to get to know you — an amazing congregation.
L'shalom,
Rabbi Jason Rodich
For previous Clergy Voice letters, visit our HaKol archives.