Rabbi Eric Yoffie, your friend and mine, is retiring next year. He’s been the head of the URJ for 16 years.
Nominated to succeed him is Rabbi Richard Jacobs, who I have never heard of.
Things about Jacobs that seem noteworthy:
- He is working on a doctorate at NYU in something called “ritual dance”
- He used to be a dancer and choreographer
- He is on the board of the New Israel Fund (!)
This does not sound like good news for the liturgy nerds of the Reform world.
Anybody know anything about this guy?
I’ve heard of him, but probably only because I grew up next to Westchester where his congregation is. He is very well respected and is a big social action-y guy. I was expecting R. Danny Freelander. Interesting, I guess? I’m curious to see other reactions.
here is the URJ announcement
http://urj.org/about/union/pr/2011/?syspage=article&item_id=62320
he’s a good guy. very committed to learning, Israel and social action.
Got to be cool. Former rabbi of my local, excellent Reform shul, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue.
I don’t know Rabbi Jacobs personally, but by reputation he is considered innovative, inspiring and a mentsch.
Why are you afraid for the liturgy nerds of the world?
“Ritual dance”
Your reaction is interesting.
Ritual dance. Hmm. Let’s take a look at some possibilities:
*At Eisner camp, Shabbat morning services include an interpretive dance that expresses something from the parashah. (Is this is your fear?)
*King David danced before God (Samuel II 6:14).
*The ritual first dance at a wedding.
*The Hora entertaining the bride and groom.
*The mezinka.
*Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman ecstatic dancing.
These are the Jewish ones that occur to me. Surely other cultures and peoples have ritual dances (Maori(?) warriors are supposed to have dances that use lots of feathers – the only reason I know this was a PBS program on conservation of birds). I would think that all of human civilization has enough ritual dance in it to write a PhD thesis on.
It’s not a serious objection, by the way. Everything I’m reading about the guy so far makes him sound great.
To quote Emily Litella “Never mind.”
Just admit that you equate dancing with “woo woo” Judaism. ;)
OK. I admit it. You got me.
David, this Jacobs guy is the real deal. Very smart, very liturgically tuned in, very conversant with tradition, a protege of Rabbi Richard Levy, Hartman Institute grad, etc. The modern dance thing is a part of Jacobs’ bag of tricks. Don’t worry — he’s not woo woo, though he make you move a little before you davenn.
BTW, I’d be scared shitless of a young whippersnapper like you coming into my suburban temple and evaluating my work, liturgy, etc. I have a picture of you at the door so that security will stop you if you try coming in. What — oh yeah, I don’t HAVE any security guards…
Anyway, good Shabbes.
rebhayim
I’d be scared shitless of a young whippersnapper like you coming into my suburban temple and evaluating my work, liturgy, etc.
Why? I do it for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of the other people loopy enough to care enough to read this blog. If you like your service, why be worried about what some “young whippersnapper” like me has to say?
that is “he MAY make you move…”
I hate when I don’t proofread…
HUC grad/URJ head + ritual dance = Reform Shuckle.
BTW, whatever happened to the blog name change idea?
It’s not happening until I move to the new address at davidamwilensky.com, which it looking increasingly like it’s not gonna happen until after graduation.