“Coming Home”

It is with great excitement and humility that I begin my first month as your rabbi. Thank you for the confidence you have entrusted in me as well as the honor you have bestowed upon me as the new spiritual leader of The Conservative Synagogue.

In Las Vegas, many people asked me, “Why are you moving to Connecticut? I hope you enjoy the cold weather!”

Since we are several months away from the winter, I will hold off on responding to the latter statement but attempt to explain why we chose to move to Connecticut and to The Conservative Synagogue of Westport, Weston, and Wilton, in particular.

From my initial introduction to TCS, it became clear to me that this community has been blessed with strong lay and professional leadership. In short, I wanted to be a part of that kind of community. The combination of a dedicated lay leadership and a talented professional staff with whom to work is unique and exciting.

I salute Rabbi Tobin for his tremendous accomplishments over the past five years. On a personal note, he and Lisa have been quite helpful to Riki and me in preparing for our transition. I look forward to continuing the good work that Rabbi Tobin has started and joining you as we “start the next chapter” of TCS history and climb new heights together.

Cantor Berman and I have already begun sharing ideas and focusing on elevating the ruach (spirit) level of our prayer services in meaningful and inspiring ways. There is much work to be done between preparing for the High Holy Days, training a full year of B’nei Mitzvah, and organizing a year of exciting programs. It is nice to know that I have a true “teammate” in Cantor Berman, and I am looking forward to our partnership.

Marcy Bratman has been amazing in providing us with all the information and knowledge we needed to make this move and transition as stress-free as possible. She is clearly the glue that keeps the congregation together, informed, and functioning smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

One of the first things that I noticed about TCS was its strong preschool program that was built with the love and hard work of Geri Smiles. (She has the best last name of all the preschool directors in the country!) All one has to do is spend two minutes with Geri in order to feel her love for the children and passion for her school.

It is not easy to find a quality Jewish educator, but I am proud to say that we have one in Danny Kochavi! Danny’s knowledge, positive energy, and vision combine to create a perfect formula for success. TCS has only just begun to scratch the surface in terms of what we can accomplish educationally, and I look forward to being a partner in this process.

You should be proud of your lay leadership as well. This past winter, I had the exhilarating opportunity— yet nerve-wracking experience— of visiting many different congregations in search of a “shiduch” (a good match). Beth Rand and the Rabbi Search Committee did a fantastic job of selling Westport, The Conservative Synagogue, and the community as a whole. Riki and I were welcomed with warm, open arms, and it really made a positive impression upon us. Some synagogues wanted to know about my “policies”. TCS wanted to know about me.

Over the past several months, I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know our President Jon Fraade. Jon’s sharp mind and his ability to step back and ask the right questions while seeing the larger picture is a gift indeed. I am amazed at the number of hours he spends each day for the benefit of our synagogue community. Jon’s work is truly a labor of love, and I imagine that his commitment is not unique among the countless TCS volunteers.

I have been particularly impressed with TCS’ commitment to the state of Israel, mitzvoth, and community-wide volunteerism. The passion for the synagogue and positive energy throughout the building is contagious. After spending Shabbat at TCS, Riki and I felt both exhausted and invigorated at the same time. I imagine that some of you have regularly experienced these contrasting emotions after spending a busy weekend at TCS!

Rabbi Tarfon taught: “Hayom Katzar, v’Ham’lakhah Merubah…. v’ha’sa’khar harbeh —The day is short, the task is great… and the reward bountiful!”

I truly feel blessed to be joining such an amazing community, and I look forward to our sacred work together. On behalf of Riki and our children Meital, Ayelet, and Avi, we thank you for welcoming us to your home and can’t wait to call Westport our home.

Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn