Two months ago, Rabbi Max and I moved to a new neighborhood. On Saturday evening, we attended our first ever HOA party. We quickly learned that these gatherings follow a script. After an exchange of pleasantries, every conversation continued like this:
Household 1: How long have you been in the neighborhood? Where’s the house?
Household 2: [Responds and reflects the questions back.]
Household 1: [Explains where their house is located in the neighborhood and then says] Oh how nice, you’re going to love it here. Have any kids?
Household 2: [Responds and reflects the question back, including an inquiry about grandkids depending on the perceived ages of Household #1]
Household 1: So what do ya’ll do for a living?
This question is always leads to one of three responses: People respond with “mmmm,” they nod and then change subjects. Others say, “Oh wow, I didn’t know women could be rabbis.” Then there are those who say, “Interesting, how does one become a rabbi?”
This question never makes me uneasy, as I am mentally prepared to respond to just about anything. Maybe some would pause before responding. However, rather than imagining that people will respond negatively, I try to imagine the best kind of response. Saturday affirmed this approach.
When we said that we were rabbis, every person we spoke with respond with, “o wow, that’s so cool!” Better than that, they also all responded that they were praying for the Jewish people and those in Israel.
It warmed our hearts.
I share this story because I think it is important to remember that we are surrounded by more goodness than we think.
Am Yisrael Chai and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rachael
