Heeding the call to serve the community
I had to take a moment because the call came as a surprise. My initial reaction was, “Who, me?” I had been so focused on my studies and the community I was serving at the time, that I couldn’t imagine anyone would even think to reach out—let alone feel I would be a good candidate for this role. It was a “Moshe Rabbeinu” moment, for sure. But I felt a desire to serve the organization that had helped nurture my growth not only as a cantor, but as a deeply committed Jew, so I agreed.
Despite the popular notion, therefore, humility is not a sign of weak leadership. Indeed, the Torah and later Jewish sources insist that the most effective of all leaders—Moses—was, at the same time, the most humble. Rather than precluding vision, tenacity and decisiveness, humility is essential for their realization.
When another call came the following year to sit on the Executive Board of the ACC, I was again surprised. I felt that I lacked experience as a lay leader of a national non-profit organization. But, again, something inside me pushed me forward. It was the desire to serve in any capacity, to give back to an organization that helped make it possible to find my way in the world as a member of Jewish clergy that motivated my decision.
The Rotary International slogan comes to mind when I think of an organizational model. “Service above Self.” Although not a Jewish organization, their outreach as an international service organization can be seen as a model for effective Tikkun Olam throughout the entire world. Work (avodah) is also based upon the notion of service (also avodah), as our Talmud states, “One who is appointed over a community becomes the servant of the community.” Horayot
When we recite the blessing for the study of Torah, it is the word “engage”—la’asok— in la’asok bedivrei Torah that reminds us of our obligation. We are commanded to engage with the words of Torah, not only to read, study, see, and hear them. We are taught to immerse in our tradition. So too, should we immerse in service to our community to the best of our abilities.
What can each of us do to ensure that the legacy of the rich and diverse Jewish history in Atlantic and Cape May Counties continues to thrive?
The rabbis understand this basic principle. “It is easy to go up to a dais,” they taught, “tough to come down.” (Yalkut, Va’ethannan, 845). Nevertheless, only those who transcend their own agendas in order to serve the long-term needs of the people meet Judaism’s test of effective leadership.
Most Jewish non-profit organizations are run through the overwhelming volunteer support of a few extremely dedicated individuals who understand that the passion for their community and call to service is met with a sense of urgency. In particular, there still remains a great need for women, particularly those in the millennial and Gen Z demographic, to prioritize their place in the leadership of Jewish communal and religious organizations.
A recent post by the Women for Reform Judaism (WRJ) stresses this point: “In worship, in business, in government, and in all Jewish spaces, as we reflect on the past year and seek ways to improve our world…it is more vital than ever. Attacks on reproductive rights, access to the ballot box, and racial justice are on the rise. Women continue to face hurdles in achieving equity in leadership and compensation practices. A wave of hate crimes and anti-Semitism is sweeping the country.”
We also need to provide Jewish spaces and models that understand “how this generation of Jewish leaders is different.” As Rhoda Weismann explains, “Next Generation leaders are searching for passion, meaning, and purpose. They want everything in all that they do. This generation believes that Happiness (much like their first trip to Israel) is a birthright. They strive to integrate deeper Jewish meaning in their careers and volunteer work. They are careful to balance their leadership with meaningful personal lives.”
No matter the challenges, the “status quo,” the unusual and unprecedented times in which we live, we owe it to ourselves and the next generations of Jews to ensure that our community thrives. It begins with our dedication. Our sense of purpose. And by saying “yes!” to the call to serve.
Cantor Jacqueline Menaker serves as the Reform Spiritual Leader of Shirat Hayam in Ventnor, NJ. She is a third year rabbinical student at the Academy for Jewish Religion in NY and a passionate advocate for promoting strong leadership and active engagement in Jewish communal and religious life.
Cantor Jacki Menaker
Reform Spiritual Leader
Shirat Hayam