FROM THE CONGREGATION PRESIDENT A recent Torah portion, Bo, really struck a nerve with me. In this parasha, we near the end of the Ten Plagues. In the first sentence, we learn that God has hardened Pharaoh’s heart so he would not allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. The result is that Pharaoh is forced to suffer through consequences that were not entirely of his own making. God unleashed the plagues to demonstrate God’s own power and to prove that the Jews were God’s chosen people. This was an important lesson, not only to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, but also to the Israelites who needed to break free of their slave mentality by learning that there was a more powerful being than their Egyptian taskmasters. Pharaoh was considered by his people to be a god. Even if, during the early plagues, he had wanted to give in and let the people go, he would have been unable to do so without appearing weak to his people. But early on, Pharaoh was too vain and stubborn to consider this. Later, as the plagues decimated Egypt, we see Pharaoh begin to struggle with himself to perhaps do the right thing but in fact, God does not allow him to make that choice. In Bo, there were no good choices available to Pharaoh and he was forced to play the hand which he was dealt - no matter if or when he wanted to change his mind. One could go back to any number of earlier, certainly evil decisions by this Pharaoh and his predecessors - enslaving the Jews, drowning all the male babies born to the Jews, forcing them to build treasure cities - where perhaps this Pharaoh or another could have turned around and done what was right, if his pride would have let him. By the time Pharaoh realized the unintended consequences of his actions, it was too late to stop the chain of events that God had put in place. Any of us who has ever been a leader has approached the position with high hopes and the best of intentions. Although some of us may joke about being the only one who was silly enough to say yes, I believe that no one really takes on the obligations and responsibilities of leading any group without feeling passionate and proud to be there. All leaders begin with a passion to make things stronger at the end of their tenure than when they began, and the pride in knowing that people have put their trust in them to make the right decisions. But sometimes, even with the best of intentions and all the passion in the world, a leader cannot avoid the unintended consequences of their decisions. Sometimes it feels like it is impossible to stop, turn around and make any decisions that will ultimately benefit the group, or in the words of Hippocrates, “do no harm.” Hopefully, every leader has at least one advisor who has the ability to help them stop, look at a situation objectively and maybe from a different viewpoint, to help them to step back or choose differently, or try to help them after they have crossed the line. And hopefully, a true leader will have the wisdom to listen and heed good advice when it is given. Many times balancing the overall needs of the synagogue with the specific needs of our individual stakeholders is difficult. However, that is why we have not only a president to lead us, but also a Board, Executive Committee, past presidents, professional staff, and clergy, who all help us choose wisely, balance difficult choices and avoid possible pitfalls. The Pharaoh had no choices left to him in Bo and acted accordingly. My goal has always been to be a Joseph rather than a Pharaoh; someone who chooses appropriate advisors, listens to advice and makes the best of the situation which is before me, creatively and strategically thinking ahead, choosing the path that will lift up the entire congregation. Shalom, Tanya Solomon
Tanya This CBS Young Family Chavurah gathers for both family and adults-only events monthly. Each family takes a turn planning/hosting an event. This event was an adults-only evening at an escape room! Pictured from left to right: Rabbi Warner Ferratier, Stephen & Carly Sear, Jenny & Danny Schneider, Alyssa & Jonathan Weisbach and Annie & Drew Goldman. There are others members of this Chavurah not pictured who were in another escape room. MARCH 2020 • VOLUME 79 ISSUE 49
3
