Kallah retreat energises and inspires Reform clergy
By Student Rabbi Dr Hannah Altorf and Rabbi Daniel Lichman
This year’s Reform Judaism Kallah (gathering/retreat for clergy) was a powerful experience of collaboration, support and mutual exploration.
There are so many challenges facing rabbis and cantors at this time: the intensity of the work, the changing nature of community, the worry about burnout and all of this in the face of an incredibly complicated political climate in the world as a whole and for Jews in particular.
The Kallah programme did not resolve any of the challenges but it offered profound opportunities for us to hold the challenges together and understand that none of us need be alone with our questions and worries. We also celebrated the joys of our work.
We had supportive and illuminating conversations in our ‘affinity groups’ with fellow professionals in similar situations. These conversations created stronger connections and allowed for a genuine discussion of issues that affect us deeply, but are rarely acknowledged and also need the expertise of one’s peers as well as a brave space.
Yet, this kind of discussion was not limited to the affinity groups, but found in every session. On Monday evening, for instance, we heard and told several stories of leaving a community. There were stories of joy and of sadness. It was good to hear how some professionals and communities have navigated this difficulty with moments for honouring and blessing and it felt even more important to acknowledge the more painful leave-takings, when communities omit to say goodbye at all. These stories need to be told and to be heard with curiosity rather than judgment. And that was how it happened.
It was good to daven with colleagues, to create art in silence and to discuss with much joy a remarkable sermon by Rabbi Sheila Shulman z’’l till deep in the night. We arrived feeling overworked and tired and at the end left with gratitude feeling energised and inspired.
It is hard to convey what this Kallah means: it was intense, it sustained us and it moved us. The leadership of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors, especially the co-chairs Rabbis Kath Vardi and Robyn Ashworth-Steen, are doing a remarkable job of ensuring that the assembly is a place of mutual support.
This Kallah we supported one another to continue to serve our communities with honesty, care and joy. It is our hope that it will be possible to maintain and enhance it in future years and for future rabbis and cantors.
