The Rabbi and The Rebbetzin by Shlomo Wexler Read Free Book Online

greeted them. “I didn’t know that one of our
candidates was married.” Levine had surmised that the woman in the party was
Mrs. Weiss, but he was flattering her by suggesting she looked young enough to
be the wife of one of the students.
    Rachel
smiled happily. “Oh, no,” she remarked. “I’m not married to any of the boys. I
just went along with ‘my father’for the ride.”
    Levine
introduced his committee to the guests. “This is Cynthia Farber, president of
our sisterhood, and next to her is Joe Feinberg, chairman of the Ritual
Committee. That’s what they call a Gabbai at the yeshiva. Al Goldstein and
Reverend Martin, our Chazzan, the other members of the committee, are waiting
in the main synagogue.”
    Rabbi
Weiss did the honors for his group. “This is my wife, Rachel, and the men with
us are Shalom Pinkes and Aaron Adler.”
    “Let’s
take a look at the shul, before we get down to business,” Levine suggested. He
led them through the double doors to the worship area. “We can seat about 200
men up front and 150 women in back. We could vary that by moving the curtain
forward a few rows, but, as for now, the division seems about right.” The Ark
was fairly elaborate and was flanked by two chairs on either side. The platform
before the Ark was about two feet above ground and featured a speaker’s stand. “That’s
where the rabbi speaks,” Levine explained as he pointed to the lectern.
    After
returning to the lobby, Levine described the rooms on either side of the
entrance. “On the left, as you enter, we have a small chapel for daily prayers
when we have them. We also have a meeting room and a business office. On the
right we have a classroom, restrooms and the synagogue kitchen. When we have an
affair, the benches are moved towards the front and tables are set up in the
back. I want you to know that our kitchen is strictly kosher.”
    When
the tour ended, Levine led the visitors into the chapel. “One of you may wait
in here while we interview the first candidate in the meeting room. Have you
decided who will go first?”
    Rabbi
Weiss felt that it would be wise to lead with his best, so he scheduled Shalom
first and then Aaron. “I would prefer that you talk to Shalom Pinkes first if
that is all right with you.” When no objection was heard, he asked Shalom to
join the members of the committee as they headed towards the meeting room.
    The
room had been set up for an informal gathering. The sisterhood president and
the Gabbai sat on a couch, while Levine sat on an easy chair. Shalom was
directed to a seat facing the committee.
    “Before
we ask you any questions, rabbi,” Abe Levine led off, “we would like you to
take to take a few minutes to tell us about yourself. Make sure to tell us of
any special experience that will qualify you to serve as our holiday rabbi.”
    Shalom
was not caught by surprise with the first request. He had prepared a brief
biography which stressed his youth work activities, his tutoring, and his being
an organizer of student affairs. His delivery was smooth but not polished. When
he finished, Levine started the questioning. Abe Levine was a tall man with thin
lips and angular cheeks, and gave the impression of certain hardness. Shalom
guessed that he was only in his early forties.
    “Tell
us, Shalom,” Levine ventured, “do you have any higher education?”
    “If
you are talking about higher secular education, I can tell you that I am now
enrolled at the local community college and taking courses in business and
computers. I have more than forty credits at this time. If I transfer to a four-year
college, I may receive additional credits for my religious studies at the
yeshiva. I am taking these courses even though my future career will be in
Jewish communal service.”
    The
chairman responded, “This is a highly educated congregation. Many of our
members are professionals ― doctors, lawyers and the like. Our past rabbi had a heavy Israeli accent, but
he was