Mazel Tov Temple Beth Ha-Sholom of Williamsport for 150 Years!

This past Sunday, Temple Beth Ha-Sholom of Williamsport, Pennsylvania celebrated it's 150th Anniversary.  At the Taber Museum, there was a reception and an exhibit on Jewish life in Williamsport.  I served as the student rabbi of the Temple from 2005 - 2007 during my time in rabbinical school.  Every other weekend, for two years, I traveled down to Williamsport to lead services, teach Hebrew school, and learned how to become a rabbi.  These were some of my most formative experiences in rabbinical school.  It was truly a pleasure to travel back to Williamsport to visit with old friends and to celebrate their accomplishments.  Below is a excerpt of my remarks at the gathering.  It was truly an honor to represent the over 30 student rabbis and rabbis who shepherded the congregation during a century and a half of Jewish life.  Mazel Tov!

Temple Beth Ha-Sholom (photo credit to Richard Karp)

150 years ago, the Ulman siblings and the other Jewish pioneers from Germany settled in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and established a synagogue: Temple Beth Ha-Sholom.  These founders and their friends and neighbors built a Temple where the Jewish community could gather, and worship, and teach their children the values of their faith.  They named their synagogue, “Temple Beth Ha-Sholom” – “A House of Peace” because they wished to create a home where Jews and non-Jews could learn from one and celebrate with one another and together bring peace and compassion to Williamsport and Central Pennsylvania.

One of the quintessential values of our Jewish tradition is the significance of learning and teaching.  We are after all called “The People of the Book” and nothing more defines our trajectory as a Jewish community than learning and teaching.  As a congregation, Temple Beth Ha-Sholom is truly a community of teachers.  For over thirty years, you have been teachers of student rabbis and rabbis to be.  Ten years ago, you welcomed me, a shy and timid rabbinical student who was navigating the path towards the rabbinate.  I joined you for services that first Friday evening and I heard someone say, “Rabbi” – I thought to myself, “oh, there’s a rabbi here?” and I realized at once that the person was talking to me!  Before coming to Williamsport, I didn’t feel like a rabbi, but under your tutelage and being welcomed with open arms, I became YOUR rabbi and I became A Rabbi.

Preaching at Temple Beth Ha-Sholom in 2006

This Temple has welcomed over thirty student rabbis.  Each year or two, a new rabbi enters your community and you guide him or her… helping all of us learn how to give sermons, to teach Hebrew School, to lead services, and be a pastoral presence.  Every generation has been guided by your wisdom and knowledge.  There is no mitzvah, no commandment, greater than being a teacher of rabbis.  You are truly our teachers.  Dozens of rabbis, scattered across our country, learned what it means to be a rabbi from their time here in Williamsport.

 

Visiting with old friends at the Taber Museum

L'dor va’Dor – from Generation to Generation, young and old, founders and leaders, adults and children, have learned and lived their Jewish lives here at Temple Beth Ha Sholom.  Each generation from the Ulman siblings till today have built and rebuilt the Temple, helped thousands of Jewish people find a spiritual home, a Jewish connection, a sense of community.  Thank you for your leadership, thank you for your guidance, thank you for your friendship.