June 2010

Board of Rabbis
Creates New Initiatives

By Lorraine Thomas Sherman

When Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson of Beth El of Northern Westchester accepted the presidency of the Westchester Board of Rabbis last year, he had several goals in mind. Strengthening every aspect of the Westchester Jewish community rated high on his “to-do” list.

“I think we have been able to fulfill our mission in a lot of exciting ways,” Rabbi Davidson said, “creating opportunities for our colleagues to come together on a regular basis and talk about the issues of common interest and concern to rabbis in Westchester, and to learn together.”

One major concern he mentioned is Israel. At the beginning of the year, at a point when many rabbis were beginning to think about High Holy Days sermons which would involve Israel, he said it was helpful hearing the views provided by David Harris, Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, to learn more about Israel and its relationship to the U.S...”the prospects for peace, and the challenges that lay ahead.”

Part of the work of the Board of Rabbis has been in terms of developing collegiality, “learning and studying together, and trying to create and to be part of some exciting initiatives in the community.”

Participation by the rabbis in a Bereavement Conference, described as “a wonderful opportunity to speak of the spiritual issues surrounding death and bereavement,” could benefit not only clergy, Rabbi Davidson suggested, but also might be of value to social workers and providers of elder care and end-of-life care.

In the planning stage for fall is a night of Jewish learning, on November 13th, open to the entire Westchester community. “Lots of rabbis will have the opportunity to teach,” he noted. The Board has also been able to include an interfaith dialogue, particularly with Presbyterian colleagues, about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict--creating an opening to speak with one another about problems and concerns.

Both in terms of collegiality and outreach to the Jewish community, Rabbi Davidson stressed the necessity for the Board, which consists of “a terrific group of rabbis,” to continue to grow and work on various initiatives proposed.

Although so many different views are represented on the Board, Rabbi Davidson strongly believes they share more in common than that which separates them.

“We are deeply committed to the life of the Westchester Jewish community and its enrichment...the aspect of what it is we are able to provide for the benefit of the community.”

He referred to the Bereavement Conference and the educational night of learning as examples, along with the interfaith type of activity which enables engaging in the critically important discussions regarding Israel.

The hope is that such initiatives will be ongoing, and that there will continue to be interfaith dialogues with people of other denominations as well.

“We see ourselves as partners. I don’t see myself so much as the leader, but as the convener of the group, and try to get a sense of the interests and needs of the group and of the community...try to create opportunities to match those interests.”

 

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