Shabbat Shalom ~ Shemot 2026

Shalom WJC Family,

Shortly before the Winter Break the Conservative Movement lost one of our great teachers and the world lost one of its true mensches. I had the privilege to learn with Rabbi Eliezer Diamond z’l at Camp Ramah, later as a Rabbinical School student, and throughout my career especially at the RTI Learning conference I frequently attend in January. There are very few teachers I have had that check all three boxes for what I seek in a mentor: brilliant Torah knowledge and teaching ability, true devotion to the tradition and living a virtuous Jewish life, and just being a super nice person. Rav Eliezer was the real deal, an actual triple crown winner. He will be sorely missed. 

As I mentioned, one of the places I had the privilege to learn with Rav Eliezer was RTI. When I attend this conference again next week (Sunday to Thursday), his absence will be palpable as he was a precious teacher to so many of us who will be there. The conference will start with learning in honor of his shloshim (marking 30 days since his death). 

I’d also like to share some learning in his memory with our congregation. Thanks to the wonders of technology, we can actually learn from him directly. In 2019, Rav Eliezer was a guest on a podcast of the Jewish Theological Seminary called “What Now?” The podcast was produced by a former student trying to understand how to move forward in life after a terrible personal tragedy. I think that Rav Eliezer’s essence and his Torah really come through in the episode and it is an honor to share the teachings of one of my rabbis with you. You can access the episode on Apple podcasts here. For Spotify, click here. 

I hope you enjoy getting to know him a bit through the podcast, and maybe knowing he is one of my mentors, you will get to know me a little better too. 

Before I go, we have a lovely Shabbat planned including a quiet and spiritual regular Friday night service at 4:15pm, the return of Saturday morning Torah Talk at 8:30am, and a Simple & Soulful service with Cantor Ethan Goldberg and Rabbi Cantor Shoshi Levin Goldberg at 10:15am in the Chapel.

Then, next week, we have our special MLK Weekend programming on Friday night. Sign up for the dinner and check out information about the MLK Special Rhythm & Ruach: Our Stories, and program with Elder Mark McLean here.

See you in shul,

RJA