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June 23, 2006
Student rabbi says bye
Mikelberg leaves after two years with OJC.
DON PLANT
The small Jewish community of Kelowna stood and cheered a giant
of a spiritual leader earlier this month.
Rabbinical student Daniel Mikelberg has just completed a two-year
contract with the Okanagan Jewish Community (OJC) that congregants
say shone a guiding light for a group that was struggling to find
its way.
"Daniel, it's not, 'you shall be a blessing.' You are a blessing,"
said Paul Henry, who organized the tribute dinner in Mikelberg's
honor. "You've helped us to heal. When you came, we were broken.
Your spirituality, enthusiasm and idealism were tremendous for us."
The OJC had lost its spiritual leader in 2004 and went looking for
a replacement to conduct services. President Mel Kotler approached
Rabbi Philip Bregman of Temple Sholom in Vancouver, who recommended
hiring a student rabbi from the Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles.
The community of 70 families lucked out. Mikelberg, raised in Vancouver,
had recently enrolled at the school's student rabbi program and
was eager to help a congregation so close to his home town. His
contract required 10 weekend visits, from Rosh Hashanah to the end
of spring.
From the moment he arrived, people were smitten with his positive
nature and ability to make ancient themes relevant to modern life.
"He always has a big, huge smile on his face," said Melanie
Girard, a 12-year-old student in the OJC Hebrew school. "He
makes lessons fun. He connects his lessons to real life. You understand
more of what he's trying to teach you."
Congregants warmed up to Mikelberg right away, said OJC member Lillian
Goodman.
"Everyone loved him. The moment he walked in, he had that kindness
and generosity about him."
Mikelberg, 27, helped lead the Hebrew school, conducted Shabbat
services on Friday nights and Saturdays, organized Saturday-night
discussion sessions and launched an introduction-to-Judaism program.
He made himself available to members with personal issues and pulled
the community together, said Kotler.
"He made us realize that being a small Jewish community, we
have to work hard at maintaining our Jewish identity. I want to
thank Daniel for that," he said.
Mikelberg said he gained new
respect for the challenges of operating a small congregation 400
kilometres from the closest major city.
"The greatest challenge is also its strength," he said.
"There's a real sense here of community, of family, that you
don't get in bigger centres. It's a challenge because it's diverse
at the same time. It's very hard to navigate a path for everyone
involved."
By the time Mikelberg's first year ended, the community had applied
to extend his contract. His supervisor, Rabbi David Fine of Seattle,
flew to Kelowna to evaluate him and gauge the congregation's impressions.
Despite stormy weather, the community centre saw one of its largest-ever
turnouts, said Kotler.
"It was a credit to Daniel. Everyone wanted to tell the supervisor
how great he was."
Leigh-Ann Yanow, 30, asked Mikelberg to start a conversion program.
She was one of six women who took monthly classes with him. She'll
convert to Judaism at a Vancouver ceremony in August.
"I haven't met many people in my life who have been so wise
for their years. To have all that knowledge and be able to interact
with everyone is remarkable," Yanow said.
Hebrew school co-ordinator Barb Pullan, who leads lessons for 15
students ages five to 14, presented Mikelberg with a thank-you book
created by the children.
"What amazes me is how well he relates to every age group and
brings the best and most out of everyone," she said. "He'd
send his detailed lesson plan 10 days before each lesson. It was
unbelievable. The kids loved his lessons."
The community presented Mikelberg with a framed Jewish National
Fund Golden Book Certificate that acknowledges 10 trees have been
planted in Israel in his name. After the speeches, families started
up the karaoke machine. Mikelberg belted out Van Morrison's "Brown
Eyed Girl" and Barenaked Ladies' "If I Had a Million Dollars."
He begins a new rabbinical internship in Los Angeles this fall.
Once he completes his five years at the college, Mikelberg hopes
to join a congregation similar to Kelowna's on the West Coast.
"I've found my rabbinical path," he said in his farewell
speech. "This is a special community in so many ways. I'm quite
blessed."
The OJC has found a replacement from the same college. Kotler has
signed up third-year student Sadie Reuben of Phoenix, Ariz. She's
to begin leading services this fall.
Don Plant is a reporter for the Kelowna Daily Courier
and an OJC member.
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