Welcome To Temple Beth El!

May/June 2018

…from the archives… Temple Beth El / September 1995 / Elul-Tishri 5756

“As I write this, my first message to you, I am extremely pleased with my having been selected to serve as your Hazzan.  I am most appreciative of your warmth in welcoming me to Rochester. I was most impressed with the search committee, under the capable leadership of Mr. Richard Briskin.  To all who serve with him, I extend my sincere appreciation.

It is an honor, as well, to hold the same position that was held, with distinction, by my dear friend and colleague, Hazzan Sam Rosenbaum.  I have always held him in the highest regard and I am looking forward to his continued support and friendship. My thanks, as well, to Cantor Mark Goldman for his advice and assistance.

I am looking forward to meeting you.  Together, I am confident that we can work together to ensure that our congregation remains both vibrant and an inspiration to our youth.  To be sure, there will be a period of time adjustment for everyone, but with your patience, understanding and help, I know that we will be successful …”

(Fast forwarding ….  March, 2018 / Nisan 5778)

So began my very first Kol article and my first year as Hazzan at TBE.  It is incredible to me that so much time as passed! Most of our present-day students had not even been born!  Sadly, so many people that welcomed me back in ‘95 are no longer here….and so on.

But this is not a time for sad thoughts but rather one of looking forward.  Even after we read a great book, we place it back on the shelf with a sigh and reflect.  But then, we try to find another work by the same author or go to see a movie based on the book and/or suggest it to our friends.  The chapters in the book as do the chapters in our lives have the ability to change our perspective, open some new doors, causing us to pause, all the while providing us with a sense of accomplishment and pride in our ability to have reached this point in our lives.

I am at a loss in attempting to find words that speak to the many, many connections with you at both the happy and sad times in your lives.

As I have said many times, music can and does serve as that “connective tissue” between people.  It has been my privilege to join with you in music of all types. The role of Hazzan in prayer is to “lift the words off the page” and send them to you.  And then there were the many concerts throughout the years. I sincerely thank you for your continued support.

Lisa and I will continue to be in the community.  We look forward to seeing you “around town”. I wish you good health and a wonderful and safe summer!

With the warmest regards,

Hazzan Leubitz