“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shelach
25 Sivan 5775/ June 12,
2015
Mevorchim Chodesh Tamuz
- Pirkei Avos – Chapter 3
A number
of years ago a friend mentioned to me that there was a shul not too far from me
that was looking to hire a chazzan to lead the davening on Rosh Hashana and Yom
Kippur. He gave me the number of the contact person and I called right away. I had
a lengthy and pleasant conversation with the shul representative about a slew
of topics, including my experience and family history of davening for the amud.
Just before we hung up he assured me that he would be in touch with me
imminently.
That was
almost a decade ago and I am still waiting for the call.
When I
had just graduated with my Masters in Social Work, I wasn’t sure where to
begin. The hardest part of building a career is always getting started and I
didn’t know how to get my foot in the door. I thought that perhaps if I took a
teaching position it would get me into the school system and from there I could
have an easier time procuring a position as a school therapist.
I gave a
model lesson at one of the local schools. At the time the school taught limudei
kodesh ivrit b’ivrit (Judaic studies in Hebrew) and conveying the
lesson in Hebrew with the School’s Headmaster and Principal in attendance only
added to my anxiety level. When I was done they critiqued my performance and
told me that they would be in touch with me shortly.
That was
over a decade ago. I have often joked that they may call any day now.
Recently,
a mentor of mine who is a seasoned and veteran rebbe gave a model lesson after
interviewing for a particular position. Accepting the job entailed that his
whole family would have to move to a different community and it would be a
great undertaking. The school seemed interested in him, but after the interview
they never called him back. When I asked him about the position he expressed
his frustration and hurt. Couldn’t they at least have the decency to call me
and tell me they weren’t hiring me?
Neither
of the two places where I interviewed but never received a response meant to be
malicious. Neither of them meant to drag me through an emotional roller coaster
and leave me hanging high and dry while I waited excitedly and hopefully for a
reply. But that was what they unwittingly did. They undoubtedly had many other
general worries and important issues and concerns that needed their attention
and they simply overlooked me. But it was very upsetting for me.
I think
about those events periodically so that I can remind myself how I felt when
that was done to me in the hope that I don’t do that to others. It’s so easy
for us to become overwhelmed with our own daily affairs that we forget about
the needs of others. It may not be as life-changing as a new position, but even
a phone call seeking our assistance or advice, can be painful if not returned.
The
people I dealt with in both of the aforementioned institutions have left those
institutions long ago. Having said that, I should add that there is another
implicit lesson here, i.e. that one never knows in life. The shul whose
representative never replied to me about being the chazzan, I have not only
been the chazzan there during the Yomim Noraim since then, but I have had the zechus
to be the Rabbi there for the last six years. As far as the school where I interviewed
and never heard back from, I currently enjoy being their fifth grade rebbe and
Guidance Counselor.
If you’ll
excuse me, my phone’s ringing… you never know!
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’
Dani and Chani Staum