Reflections on 20 Years

I feel a great appreciation of my time at the Forest Hill Jewish Centre. Yet, when I started writing these 20 reflections, I still wondered if it was a healthy endeavour. 

With so many meaningful and purposeful connections in 20 years, how can I not reflect, and really thank Hashem for the opportunities he gifted Rifky and I.

On the other hand, it’s the kind of thing done by a Rabbi who’s motivated by self-promotion, or maybe about to retire.

Well, I went ahead with the project, so the question is purely theoretical now.

But, in writing these essays, one thought has often popped into my head: my mission is to give the One Above as much nachas as possible. 

I have good days and bad days, and some years are better than others, but sharing personal thoughts on how far we’ve come together has focused me. 

None of my mentors might’ve articulated it that way. But now I can see that aspect in all of them. Having such a mission filled them with vigour, well beyond their years of expected impact. 

It’s allowed them to stay happy in challenging times, and well-balanced in overwhelming times. 

I hope and pray that I will always keep my eyes on the prize. And that my years ahead at the Albert and Temmy Latner Forest Hill Jewish Centre are as magical as the past 20 have been. 

Thank you all for enriching my life, for your friendship, and for the many of you who’ve allowed me to be your Rabbi.