About the Rabbi

Rabbi Wolfe celebrating Over the past decade, Rabbi Wolfe, his wife Julie and two children Noah and Ariella, have become a cherished and indispensable part of our House of Friends.

Rabbi's Statement
My rabbinate is driven by two passions: my love of working with people in a vibrant and rich community, and a deep desire to create opportunities for people to enhance their Jewish lives. I look forward to working with each Bet Haverim member, creating a sense of teamwork and a passionate community, alive with Judaism. I am excited about teaching - opening doors to the spiritual, cultural and historical traditions that make Judaism so rich. I believe that we all possess the power to make a difference in the world and in people's lives, and that Judaism provides the sacred tools to accomplish our tasks. I hope you will join us.

The essence of Judaism is the ongoing dialogue that we have with our God. This is a conversation that has animated the Jewish people for centuries; exciting, challenging and even frustrating, but always necessary, nurturing us as Jews and human beings. Out of this conversation grows our sense of who we are as individuals and as a people - our values, our history and our convictions.

As your rabbi, I hope to become partners with you in this age-old dialogue as we explore what it means to be a Jewish community today. We are not in search of specific answers, for God allows us to hear the divine word in diverse ways. Rather, we strive simply to participate in the conversation of Judaism.

Shalom, Rabbi Greg Wolfe

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Rabbi Wolfe's Monthly Message (June 2008)

The Blessing of Partners: Cantor Brian Comes to CBH
God saw that Adam was all by himself in the Garden of Eden and decided: Lo tov hey�ote ha�adam l�vado [It is not good for a person to be alone] (Genesis 2:18), and created for Adam the very first partner, an ezer k�negdo, a power to match his own.

In the earliest chapters of the Torah, we are given this insight into what it means to be a human being. We see that we are not meant to live our lives in isolation, independent operators. We are to form connections, relationships and partnerships that will sustain us and give our lives meaning. Whether we are choosing life partners or creating career opportunities, having someone to collaborate with is key to sustaining our success and overall well-being in life. A partnership creates sparks of possibility, a synergy of ideas so that new opportunities can emerge. This is the very essence of our human nature.

I have been so fortunate to have experienced an abundance of blessings when it comes to partners at Bet Haverim! So many in the congregation have stepped forward to make our congregational dreams come true. Whether it was the quest for a new Torah, a new and inspiring home for our congregation, establishing a Jewish preschool, or developing an incredible variety of programs, I have been overwhelmed by the dedication, creativity and passion of each you who have given so generously of yourselves.

Each of you has played an amazing role in guiding the flowering of our synagogue community at Bet Haverim. I have been blessed with an opportunity to also work with stellar leaders, on the Board and on various committees, in the congregation who�s vision and spirit is unsurpassed by leaders in any congregation of any size. In particular, I am grateful to Esther Novak who will be completing her fourth (and final) year as our congregational president. Esther�s partnership with me was always infused with such commitment and care as she shepherded our congregation through these exciting and challenging years of transition. It has been a great privilege to work with her. Malka, too, has been a partner who has enriched my experience at the congregation with her warmth and love for our students and her desire to bring them all closer to Judaism.

We now stand poised to celebrate another significant milestone in our journey together as a congregation as we welcome the newest addition to our synagogue family, Cantor Brian Reich. Cantor Reich brings a rich family background in the cantorate and over 25 years serving as a cantor himself. I know that he will add so much to our community with his uplifting music, sweet soul, passion for Judaism and caring nature. But most exciting for me is that I will have another dynamic partner to share with me the sacred task of leading our beautiful congregation into the future.

What began as a dream of mine almost three years ago has now become a reality. In order to support, guide, and sustain the tremendous programs that we have developed and the people that lead them, I realized that we needed additional professional leadership. I approached the Board and have been so grateful for their continued support and confidence in this project. With a trained cantor, we will also have the expertise to continue to deepen the music and prayer life of our synagogue, in collaboration with the other talented music people in the congregation. We hope to engage you in becoming partners with us as we build towards the future. A very special thanks to the search committee, under the leadership of Candace Naliboff, who did an outstanding job overseeing this process.

Another significant piece of my dream for this project has been the opportunity that it will afford me to create a more balanced life for myself and my family. Cantor Brian, who will begin in July, and I will both be working about 2/3 time during the year. [Brian will generally work Tuesdays and Wednesdays and I will work Wednesdays and Thursdays. I will work the first two Friday/Saturdays of the month and he will work the second and third. We will split the Fridays and Saturdays of the 4th and 5th Shabbats. I will be participating in all of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations during the first year, even if I am not scheduled for that Shabbat.] This new framework will allow me to pursue spiritual goals that have been lying dormant and will allow me to spend more, extremely precious, time with my family (who have been exceedingly patient with my schedule and endless night time meetings over the years. All of which will infuse me, as a rabbi, with new energy and ideas to share with you, my partners.

This new step is a major transition for all of us and will require all of us partners to work closely together. Please know that I am more committed than ever to working with all of you to create a loving Jewish community here that nurtures our souls and inspires our hearts and challenges our minds in fresh and engaging ways. I hope that you are as excited as I am about these new possibilities. I am confident that everyone will reach out to Cantor Brian to help him quickly integrate into our hamish community and feel at home here. It is not good for any of us to feel alone and I look forward to working with all of you.

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Monthly Torah Notes

Here is just a taste of the Torah you can look forward to in the month ahead. For the real thing, be sure to join us each Shabbat morning at 9:00 a.m. for a lively discussion of the meaning and implications of the weekly portion. All are welcome. No previous experience required.

July 5 Parashat Chukkat Numbers 19:1-20:21
This parasha presents the details concerning the ritual slaughter of the "red heifer." Miriam, Moses and Aaron's sister, then dies at Kadesh. Miriam has often been linked with water as the people wandered in the desert. Immediately following Miriam's death, the people complain that they have no water. God explains to Moses that he needs to speak to the rock to bring forth water for the people. (Previously, in Exodus, Moses was instructed to strike the rock.) Moses is so frustrated with the constant complaining of the "rebels" that he strikes the rock instead. Water comes out, but Moses pays the price for not keeping faith with God in the sight of the community. As a result, Moses will not be allowed into the Land of Israel. Aaron dies at Hor and his priestly authority is passed on to his son, Eleazar. Along the way, the people complain some more and are attacked by snakes. They also fight battles against different peoples. In each battle, the Israelites are victorious conquering towns and acquiring large territories.

July 12 Parashat Balak Numbers 22:2-38
This week�s reading follows the Israelites on their journey to the Land of Israel, where, along the way, they encounter the nation of Moav. Balak, the king, hires the prophet, Balaam, to curse the Children of Israel. This parasha contains the famous story of Balaam and the talking donkey. Instead of cursing the People of Israel, however, Balaam blesses them. A portion of that blessing remains as an opening prayer in the morning service, known as Ma Tovu. Four oracles follow, and the parashah concludes with the story of idolatry at Baal Peor.

July 19 Parashat Pinchas Numbers 25:10-26:51
Pinchas, who is the son of Elazar and the grandson of Aaron, is rewarded for his zeal by God. From then on, it will be the offspring of Pinchas, the Zadokites, who will be in the priesthood. The second census is taken to prepare for war with the Midianites and to apportion the land. After this, the case of the daughters of Tzelophechad is pleaded and judgment rendered. Moses goes up the mountain of Avarim to view the land and Joshua is appointed to succeed him. The parasha concludes with the listing of all the public sacrifices offered on the holy days.

July 26 Parashat Matot Numbers 30:2-31:54
In Mattot, Moses speaks to the heads of the Israelite tribes about oaths. The war against the Midianites occupies much of the first part, while in the latter half the tribes of Gad and Reuben negotiate to settle the east side of the Jordan as long as they participate in the conquest of the land.

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Rabbi Wolfe's Writing: Essays, Stories & Sermons

Read some of the rabbi's featured writings.

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Contact Rabbi Wolfe

Contact the Rabbi at (530) 758-0842.