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Farewell and Thank YouMay 2005From the Desk of Rabbi FreelundIt is hard for me to believe that this will be my last month here at Temple Emanu-El. When I tell people that I have been here for four years already, they can't believe it has been so long. Yet it has. In those four years there is much for me to be thankful for and in which to have some measure of pride. The last four years at Temple have been truly wonderful, marked by a widening of programming, a deepening sense of community, a commitment to learning, and a continuing outreach to those who are on a spiritual search. For all of this and more I give thanks. The opportunities presented to me at Temple have been so numerous, that it would be impossible to mention them all. However, I count myself as truly lucky to have been welcomed into the lives and homes of so many congregants. Time and again throughout these last years, hearts and souls have been opened to me as a rabbi, as a teacher, at times of regular worship, at times of family joy and of family sorrow, or just kibitzing, I have been privileged to be a part of the sacred relationship of rabbi and community. For having been trusted and even at times honored, I give you my thanks. I have learned much more at Temple Emanu-El than I have taught, and have received more than I have given. Thanks to our members and staff, I have had a period of tremendous personal growth that I know is unlikely to matched. Your wisdom and experiences have added innumerable facets to my understanding and appreciation of Torah and of Jewish life. For having been my teachers and my friends, I give you my thanks. Special thanks are also owed to Rabbi Cohon, who was instrumental in creating the Temple Emanu-El that I arrived at four years ago, and maintaining and improving our community across every aspect its function. His guiding hand and vision for Temple created the situation in which I was able to find my own place and voice. For this, I will always be grateful. Saying goodbye is never easy, but the time has come when I must. The pain of departure is eased only by the knowledge that we have created friendships that will last, and that whenever we come to visit Tucson, we will have a home here at Temple. Thank you all for a wonderful four years. L'hitra'ot, Until we see each other again, Rabbi David Freelund |
