Thank you, Rabbi Stahl for such a beautiful installation. I am honored to join you and Rabbi Block at Temple Beth-El. And thank you, Rabbi Yudkin, for your beautiful words. We have been taught by our rabbis “Find for yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend.” You have been my teacher and my friend, and I am grateful for your presence here tonight, to guide me once again as I embrace my new path here at Beth-El.

It is more than an honor to officially join this congregation as the Assistant Rabbi. As Beth-El celebrates its 125th anniversary, we have spent time looking back at Temple history and tradition—reviewing wonderful memories, and revisiting important milestones. Beth-El has so many reasons to celebrate—I am thrilled to begin to be woven into its rich tapestry.

Celebration of a major anniversary, such as the 125th, is also a time to look to the future--to the next 125 years. This has been a time to envision the future, by reviewing and renewing goals and ideals. I do not think it is a coincidence that Beth-El chose to enlarge its professional staff at this juncture. By choosing to add a third rabbi to the professional staff, you have certainly invested in the future of Beth-El. As you celebrate your past, you are clearly investing in your future.

Thank you, Beth-El, for investing in me- for selecting me for this new rabbinic position; for trusting me to participate in shaping it and directing it in the coming years. And thank you for allowing me to embrace Beth-El’s history and traditions as my own.

Thank you for the opportunity to offer my traditions, my history, my insight. Together, as we embrace the next stage in the journey of the Beth-El’s legacy, it is my prayer that my insights and knowledge will enrich Beth-El, just as it is my hope that I will be open to your vision, lessons, and knowledge. I pray that we will continue to be a blessing to each other.

In this week’s parasha, Ekev, we learn about Moses’ instructions to the people as he looks to their future. When reading this parasha, I noticed a marvelous line.

“Vachalta Vsavata Uveyrachta et Adonai Eloheycha Al Haaretz Asher Noten Lach.” “ And when you have eaten your fill and are satisfied, give thanks to God for the good land which God has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8:10)

How appropriate is this verse for this occasion—For I know I have eaten my fill and am satisfied.

“V’achalta, and you will eat” : For five years, I was nourished by the words of Torah offered to me by my professors and my classmates. I have digested their knowledge, grown from their guidance, absorbed their insights. I have lived the words of Torah through my training—through students pulpits, teaching, and chaplaincy. Metaphorically speaking, I have feasted on the words and actions of professors and classmates and digested them. This has nourished and sustained me.

“V’savata: And you will be satisfied.” And now I am satisfied. I have been granted the opportunity to come to San Antonio, to Beth El. I am blessed by the relationships that are beginning to form. I am blessed by Rabbi Stahl’s and Rabbi Block’s mentoring, and the beginning of the partnership we have forged. I am satisfied—indeed I am blessed—by how much I am learning and growing. I am secure in the knowledge that I will continue to be fulfilled by the fruits of my experiences.

“Uveyrachta: And You shall bless.” And now I bless God for guiding me to San Antonio, to serve this congregation. I am thankful for the opportunity to grow and to teach, to experience and to learn. I am blessed to have been able to reach my goal of becoming a rabbi—and now, to reach Beth El.

As I bless God for this moment in my life-and for the new venture in Temple Beth-El’s rich history, I invite you to join me in reciting the Shecheyanu.

Barukh Attah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu vekiyemanu vehigianu lazeman hazeh.

We give thanks to You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this day of joy.

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