It has been almost two years since I found out that I would join the Lake Norman Jewish Congregation (www.lakenormanjc.org) as its first full-time Rabbi. The relationship between congregation and rabbi has been more enriching and meaningful than I ever imagined. Together we have taken crucial steps in building a Jewish community.
The congregation has grown from 55 families and 45 students in the religious school to nearly 120 families and 75 children in the religious school. Our worship has matured and we are well on our way to a vibrant and diverse musical tradition that embraces both traditional melodies and music from contemporary Jewish song writers. Educational opportunities are born every day; ‘Taste of Judaism’ class, adult Hebrew, and our ‘Torah Reborn: Bursting the Biblical Bubble’ Torah Study. Other opportunities are in the development stage, including; “Torah on Tap: Bible and a Brew,” ”Sex in the Texts: Jewish Views of Sexuality and Intimacy”, ”Vices in Biblical and Rabbinic Literature,” and “Reel Theology: An exploration of Jewish Theological and Philosophical Themes in Film.” We are also developing learning opportunities for interfaith couples, new parents, and grandparents.
Our community is literally bursting with new ideas, enthusiasm, and hopes for the future; hopes for our children, our teenagers, our adults, our retirees. We have many dreams; dreams of a unified liberal Jewish community in the Lake Norman region – one which builds a powerful foundation that will endure for generations. Dreams of a community home – a beit midrash, a house of study, a beit sefer, a school, and a beit t’filah, a house of prayer.
We have a vision, we have a sound strategic plan, and we have the critical mass to succeed. My hope is that all in the community will want to be a part of and contribute to this vision. A unified Jewish community will best be able to serve the needs of all.
We are building a powerful community model and hope all will walk with us on this meaningful adventure. The possibilities are endless.
