By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — The Torah says in parashat Emor: “You shall have one standard for the stranger and citizen alike: for I the Lord am your God.”
As I hope you know, I think hachnasat orchim, welcoming visitors, is one of the most important mitzvot that members of a congregation can perform. There is nothing worse than walking into a strange synagogue and being ignored.
You may have noticed that I sometimes wander through the congregation on Shabbat to greet visitors. No, it is not that I am bored by the service and looking for something to do! Rather, I am following the advice I learned from this weekend’s Abraham and Anne Ratner Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Ron Wolfson.
Ron and I go back a long way. We have known each other for so long that he is one of the few people allowed to call me “Lenny!” A long, long time ago in a galaxy far away we were classmates at the University of Judaism which was then located on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles. After receiving his doctorate in education, he continued his studies to earn a Masters in Judaic Studies. I was in my first two years of Rabbinical School.
Since that time, I have watched Ron grow and flourish as an educator, lecturer, author, role model, and cheerleader. He is an inspirational speaker and motivator whose primary work revolves around helping Jews lead holier lives and create friendlier institutions. I have heard him speak many times on these topics and each time I’ve come away impressed and inspired.
His topics this year were chosen especially for our congregation: “Building Good Tents,” “The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven,” and “Want to be a Jewish Superhero!?” Ron will be speaking during services on Friday evening (6:15 p.m.), followed by dinner by reservation only; following Shabbat morning services (9:15 a.m.) and a light kiddush lunch; and Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. (a special session for Preschool and Torah School families).
If you had not already planned to come, I hope that you are now convinced! We are in for an awesome weekend!
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted via leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com