When we built our new makom in 2010, our History of Temple Beth Elohim Committee compiled a beautiful book capturing the story of TBE. They reached out to congregants and clergy and asked them to share their remembrances. This letter is Cantor Jodi Sufrin’s contribution to the book.
As I begin my 28th year at Temple Beth Elohim, recalling what our congregation was like over more than a quarter century ago feels a little like delving into ancient history. Sitting in on interviews for several rabbis over the years, I appreciate how carefully and thoughtfully we proceeded in the process and am struck by how different the “process” was that landed me at TBE. Roy and I were classmates and we married at the end of our second year of cantorial school. Our fifth year was consumed with decisions about which city we would settle in, which positions we should accept. As we were about to make one of those major life decisions, a position at Temple Israel of Boston opened up. Roy interviewed, auditioned and was offered the job. Around the same time, Rabbi Larry Hoffman, my favorite teacher, was invited to Temple Beth Elohim as our scholar-in-residence. He mentioned me to Rabbi Weiss and the rest is history. I came up a few weeks later and briefly met with the Rabbi in his office. My “audition” was very informal and took place in the then very new Sanctuary. I sang a few pieces for Rabbi Weiss and Gloria Rose as Daniel Rose, then a toddler, ran around the Sanctuary. I marvel at the informality of it all—the fact that I was so lucky to land in the right place and to find myself in a warm, vibrant, and dynamic congregation.
One might imagine that the changes that have taken place over more than a quarter-century would be staggering. In fact, although our growth has been remarkable, at our very core, the same values and qualities that make this community so special and that I found so compelling in 1983 continue to be our hallmark.
We have so much to be proud of as a community that stands on the pillars of worship, study, and deeds of loving kindness. We have always been an unusually warm and welcoming community. Our Caring Community Team continues to do amazing deeds of loving kindness, reaching out to so many members of our community to welcome them and to offer support in times of joy and sorrow. Our lay leadership has, over the years, pushed for the finest in quality education, both for our children and our adults. I remember when our professional staff consisted of one rabbi, one cantor, one educator, one part-time executive director, and one secretary. Who could foresee that we would fill up every niche of our building with the finest team of educators that we now have? In the realm of social justice, we continue to be a major force for good. Years ago, a major focus was resettling Soviet Jewry. We, along with Temple Israel, Boston, clothed and housed many immigrant families and even put together a celebration for the bar mitzvah of Mishka Fuchs-Rabinovich.
Perhaps the greatest changes that have taken place have been in our worship style. Marvin Eatough, who now plays for Shabbat morning services and High Holy Days, began as our music director 48 years ago and has served our community for all b’nei mitzvah services, along with a professional quartet. Maureen Gaffney, who still sings with us for High Holy Days, started here as a young woman 38 years ago. Over the years, TBE has enjoyed many fine soloists, often students from Brandeis or Boston University who have since become colleagues. A few of these students include Cantor Benjie-Ellen Schiller, Rabbi Danny Freedlander, Cantor Jeff Klepper, and Cantor Ellen Stettner, all highly respected Jewish musicians. Today, we benefit enormously from the talents of young musicians like Noah Aronson and Matt Stern, who make our service music varied and rich.
As I look back over the years, I marvel at the fact that, in the blink of an eye, I am now the senior staff-person at TBE, blessed to serve this fabulous community in partnership with my tremendous colleagues at this historic moment.
Read more from The Story of TBE here.
Photo credit: Rick Bern Photography.
