RABBI ARI LUCAS

This summer in Jerusalem!

The concept of sabbatical comes from the Torah. Every seven years, Israelite farmers are commanded to take a break from their labors in order to make time and space for rest and rejuvenation. The lessons behind this commandment are among Judaism’s most significant and enduring contributions to civilization: Work does not define us, and rest is essential. In rest, there is an opportunity to reconnect with our sacred calling and consider things from a different perspective. It is in that spirit that I am planning to take a one-month sabbatical in Jerusalem this summer. I am grateful to this entire community for supporting me in pursuing this opportunity and hope it will benefit me as a professional as well as the congregation.

Sabbatical is different from vacation. They’re both about rest, but sabbatical is about having a sustainable relationship to work — expanding capacity through professional development and personal growth. There’s a growing body of research* that shows how important these kinds of breaks are in sustaining leaders and communities.

When I considered where I might spend my sabbatical, Israel was the first and only place that came to mind. Even with all of the challenges Israel is currently grappling with (or perhaps especially because of those challenges), Israel is where I want to be — now more than ever. I’m grateful my family will be able to join me so that my children can have formative experiences of their own. As Israel marks 75 years and struggles with defining the foundational principles that will guide its future, I’m looking forward to the experience of being there so that we might feel more like participants in the struggle than spectators from the sidelines.

I have set three goals for my sabbatical growth and development, and I look forward to sharing reflections with you about the experience when I return. My goals are to:

Strengthen and expand my professional network by meeting with different leaders in Israel

Deepen my own spiritual connection and explore innovative modes of prayer by visiting new prayer communities

Rest and refresh — cultivate new routines that nourish my mind, heart, and body

Later this spring I will share some more practical details and how I plan to share this experience with you, but for now I thank you for this opportunity. Every year we end our Passover seders with a hope and blessing: “Next year in Jerusalem.” I’m excited that when I say those words at my seder this Passover, it will be a reality and not merely an aspiration.