“I’ve studied Rav Hutner before, but never like that,” says Rabbi Arthur Ruberg, rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth El. That is just one reaction after learning with Rabbi Jason Rubenstein at a pre-Selichot learning session, Saturday, Sept. 16, at Kehillat Bet Hamidrash/Kempsville Conservative Synagogue.
Rabbi Rubenstein, Dean of Students and Alumni at Yeshivat Hadar, was the Scholar-in-Residence for Shabbat at KBH on September 15 and 16, and continued to share his talent for teaching and deep level of Judaic knowledge with the communities of the four Tidewater Conservative Synagogues. His topic, Remembering, Forgetting, and Repenting, was based on the work of Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner on the Resurrection of Memory.
The participants remained engaged in the learning session and continued to talk about it in the reception that followed. Catering chairs for the weekend, Rona Proser and Judy Saperstein, and their committee provided a sumptuous array of desserts enjoyed by all. Selichot services began following the social period.
For about 20 years, the four congregations have gathered annually for Selichot services. A collaborative effort of the synagogues and clergy members of the community, Chazzan David Proser of KBH welcomed worshippers and clergy alike. Participants, in addition to Chazzan Proser, included Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz, Rabbi Marc Kraus, Rabbi Michael Panitz, Rabbi Arthur Ruberg, Cantor Elihu Flax, Cantor Wendi Fried, Cantor Larry Tiger, and Cantorial soloist Jennifer Peters. The community choir comprised of members of Beth El, Temple Israel, and KBH added so much to the spirituality of the prayers.
The Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat, followed by Rabbi Rubenstein’s participation in Selichot, was made possible through funding by United Jewish Federation, Tidewater Jewish Foundation, and Simon Family Foundation. The board and members of KBH express grateful appreciation for their support.
– Alene Kaufman