From our Rabbi ~

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Congregation Bene Shalom has lived for almost 54 years. For 50 of them, we were led by Rabbi Dr. Douglas Goldhamer. He was a Tzadik, a brilliant Rabbi, a healer, an author, a mensch, and my mentor.

 

It has been my honor to lead Shabbat, Kabbalah, and High Holiday services for almost four years now. I also officiate at weddings, and at funerals where I speak of the continuing soul of the loved ones being honored. I have been thinking about these final moments of Congregation Bene Shalom in terms of honoring our loss. I’ve been led to the obvious awareness that this congregation is not just a building, but a collection of the thousands of people who have prayed here that have become the soul of Congregation Bene Shalom.

 

Souls do not die; souls are forever. Souls are protected by angels and by God. The mission of this synagogue has always been inclusion, joy, and healing. The soul of this mission cannot die; the history, the memories and the love will never die.  As we go forward, we must never lose sight that Congregation Bene Shalom will not only live on in our faith, but also our memories of the thousands of services, the countless simchas, joys, healing, the love and even the mourning. 

 

This is our legacy. The memories I will carry with me making me smile, shed tears, and feel gratitude for the amazing experiences I have enjoyed on and off our bimah.

 

I want to share my email and website information so that you may contact me at any time. As I’ve said before,there are those who want to continue meeting as a Chavurah in our homes, and who knows what may happen!

 

While I am feeling the loss now, this is something I learned from Rabbi Goldhamer and want to share with you:

 

“Always remember, through your loss, your grief, there is always room for joy”. 

 

We have entered a new year. May it be a wonderfully happy, prosperous, and healthy era filled with hope and peace.

 

Thank you all so very much!

 

Love,

Rabbi Char

 

Rabbi Charlene Brooks

rabbicharlenebrooks@gmail.com