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Dear TBZ Community,
I am writing to share my plans for a sabbatical in the next year and a half. I am grateful to have a four-month sabbatical included in my contract. Due to the pandemic, I was not able to take this time earlier. Together with TBZ's leadership, we have created a plan for me to take my sabbatical before the summer of 2025. My sabbatical will be divided in three chunks: February-March 2024, July 2024, and June-July 2025. In addition, I will be taking my regular vacation time off.
As always, I will work in partnership with TBZ’s Co-Presidents, Board, and professional staff to plan ahead and make sure all needs in our community are covered.
I am also honored to share with you that I have been nominated and accepted to participate in the eighth cohort of the Shalom Hartman Institute's Rabbinic Leadership Initiative (RLI Cohort VIII). This is a rigorous three-year rabbinic fellowship program with 25 exceptional rabbis from across North America. RLI is a program of study and enrichment to transform rabbinic leaders into thought leaders for the Jewish people in the 21st Century. This three-year fellowship includes study in Jerusalem each July, beginning in 2024. I will be sharing more about this fellowship in the future.
In the meantime, I want to share that I will be away from TBZ from February 5 until March 19. I will be in Costa Rica the first week of February at TBZ's Contemplative Retreat with Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein and Karina Zilberman. Following the retreat, I will start the first part of my sabbatical. During my time away I will not have access to my email. I will check in with the office, but I will look forward to hearing from you once I return.
Some important information for when I am away:
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Our wonderful davening team, together with other rabbis in our community, will be leading services. You can always check who is leading services and Torah study on our website. If you need anything during services (an aliyah or celebrating something), please email Rochelle in advance and she will coordinate with the leaders of that Shabbat.
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In case of pastoral need during my absence, please reach out to Rav Tiferet or our rabbinic intern, Leah Carnow. They will support you as needed. You can also reach out to our Hesed chairs, Barrie Wheeler and Beth Harris, for support.
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In case of a death in your family, please call the TBZ office (617-566-8171) and speak with Benjamin Maron, our Executive Director. He will reach out to our pastoral care team to see who is available to support you with funeral, shiva, and any other arrangements needed, and will ensure that you have support together with our Hesed chairs. Our pastoral care team during my absence includes Rav Tiferet and Leah, along with several rabbis in our community who have agreed to be of support and help if needed.
- In case of a pastoral emergency need outside normal office hours, please call Rav Tiferet at 512-843-3738. Please be sure to use this number only when the office is closed and for emergencies.
- Shabbat N'kabla emails will be sent weekly, as usual. Rav Tiferet and Leah will write the weekly message.
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I am grateful to the Boker Tov leadership who arranged lay-leaders to lead services on Thursdays when I usually lead Boker Tov. And to Leah Carnow, Judith Kates, and Mallory Lutz who will be leading the weekly Eat, Pray and Learn sessions on Wednesday mornings.
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I am coming back right before Purim. You will hear more about megillah readers, volunteers for mishloach manot, and more in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Of course, you can always reach out toTBZ's Executive Director, Benjamin Maron, and TBZ's Co-Presidents, Jen Klein and Larry Kraus, if there is anything you need.
I am so grateful for this opportunity to take a break and take a breath.
I am here until February 5th and look forward to seeing you at services or other programs. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Rav Claudia
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