CCAR News - May 2008 - (Page 9) CONVENTION MEMORIES Conventioneering at The Old School Visiting the grounds with those we were young with the solutions of age the weathering of loss the gifts of frustration the occasional tear or two that no one sees over shared stories I remember when theology was abstract Mechayei haMeitim or not, non-theoretical education of the crucible – sustain the living with lovingkindness abundant mercy supporting the fallen healing the sick now and again releasing the captives keeping faith with those who sleep in the dust. Sitting on a bridge over the freeway we are talking about our mothers the passing of our loved ones the release of our ambitions the face of Dr. Marcus smiling at us out of the dark the intersection of our journeys in the hall of mirrors the jumping of the roads kisses for the emerituses who remain thanking them for giving me more than an education I got a life. Not only has Sally “made it,” she has done so with grace and distinction! — Eugene Levy, C 1972 9 C hances are that if it had not been Sally, it would have been someone else eventually. But it was Sally, and I am grateful that we took the time to celebrate what she has meant to all of us. Mazal Tov again to Sally and to all of us, her friends and colleagues. The video on Sunday evening and then Peter’s address on Monday reminded us of the profound commitment of the Reform rabbinate to tikkun olam. Both have renewed my strength to continue the effort. I was profoundly moved by Tuesday’s programming. The visit to the cemetery and our study sessions at HUC brought into focus for me how different the New York and Cincinnati experiences really are, and I can only assume, the LA experience as well. I really appreciated the immersion, albeit brief, into the incredible history of Cincinnati, and what it has meant to our movement. — Linda Henry Goodman, N 1985 A s a rabbinical student in Cincinnati, I have had the distinct privilege of worshiping often at Plum Street Temple, but the power of prayer present in those pews on Monday morning was something I had not experienced before. It was ineffable and (to borrow a term from Rudolf Otto) “numinous.” I rarely have the opportunity to sit with my father at services, but it was truly a wonderful experience for me to join him and my mother in prayer that morning. As we sat together in the pew, I was taken by the beauty of the space and the moment: such a magnificent edifice, filled with fathers and sons, sisters and brothers, daughters and mothers, strangers and friends, all brought together by a common love of God and the Jewish people. I am looking forward to the day (May it not be distant!) when I will ascend that same bimah to have the title “rabbi” bestowed upon me. — David Reiner, C 2009 or me, one of the highlights of the convention was stopping at the Jewish Cemetery in Walnut Hills to visit the graves of some of Reform Judaism’s “g’dolim,” obviously the ones who are “no longer with us.” Planning such an event must have been a gigantic undertaking for the program committee, but it was indeed a moving experience. So much history and so many memories – both good and not so good… A group of us went to the matzevah of Dr. Jakob J. Petuchowski, .ז״לHe had been one of our most revered professors, but for whatever reasons, he had refused to sign the s’micha of our classmate, Sally Priesand — the only member of the Cincinnati faculty who made this choice. But Sally holds malice toward none and was eager to visit the “Pet’s” gravesite, if only to let him know that even though he had refused to sign her s’micha she had forgiven him (she also wanted him to know that she “made it”). As Sally reached down to place a small stone on the “Pet’s” gravemarker, the stone actually slid off…indeed, it fell off. I suppose that a “no” is a “no,” even long after death… F — James Stone Goodman, C 1981
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