Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community,

As we enter Shabbat this evening, we will move into the 34th day of the Omer, which, according to our Kabbalistic tradition, is the day of Yesod within Hod. Yesod is widely understood as “foundation”, and Hod contains a multitude of meanings, but the one that feels present for me in this moment is “surrender/letting go”. 

Tonight is my last Shabbat at KHN, and I don’t want to let go. This year has been so much more than an internship for me; it has been an amazing gift to meet each of you, to witness the care and commitment you have for each other, and to be welcomed in with such warmth and trust. You all have built something really special here, and it has been an absolute joy to experience it and an honor to contribute to it.  

I have been uplifted by davening and learning with you all; I have been inspired by the creativity of your children; I have been moved by joining you in celebration and in grief; and most of all I have really loved getting to know you, as individuals and as a community. 

I don’t want to let go, and that’s where Yesod comes in. There is a foundation here that I do not need to let go of. A foundation of relationship, of shared memories, of mutual care and connection. While the way in which we are connected is changing, the fact that we are connected is not. I draw comfort from knowing that what I experienced with you this year is real, and that it’s not going anywhere.

I am so grateful for the kindness, affirmation, generosity, support, wisdom – and yes, the food! – that I have received from this community. Your confidence in me helped me feel more confident in myself, and for that and for all the gifts you’ve given me, I can’t express my gratitude enough. 

Next year I am honored to continue following in the footsteps of the wonderful Rabbi Steph Breitsman by serving as the rabbinic intern at Bryn Mawr Hillel, and I am honored and very much looking forward to being back at KHN for the High Holidays in September. In the meantime, please feel free to be in touch, you can reach me at mginsberg@rrc.edu.

With deep gratitude and love and wishes for a restful Shabbat,
​​​​​​​
Student Rabbi Miriam