"JUST DO YOUR THING, RABBI"
Tonight, Rabbi Brian Leiken leads his final service at Temple Beth Sholom. I can’t be there to thank him in person, so I want to thank him not in words (mostly), but in photos. I walked into an Info Night for Temple Beth Sholom’s nursery school when my oldest was 2. I stammered that I wasn’t Jewish, but husband was, hoping my toddler could still sign up. He did just welcome me, he put me on a committee.
I’ve been lucky enough to photograph so many simchas and events at TBS during his leadership. I’ve photographed him singing to toddlers, blessing Super Mensches, connecting with imams, inspiring teenagers, bat mitzvah-ing teenagers, schpieling as the Wizard of Oz, naming babies, blessing wine, breaking bread, pulling raffle tickets, fundraising, marrying couples and always, always playing the guitar.
He has been so generous with me and the presence of my camera over the years. He held a fake pumpkin in a Sukkot Soiree photo because I asked him to.
I’m going to end with a photo that is not *technically* of him. A month ago, he married a couple at the Hotel Nyack, where some of the best light is- stay with me- in front of a window located by the men’s bathroom. I was the wedding photographer. As the happy couple obliged me by twirling and posing, I accidentally trapped him in the bathroom. “Sorry, rabbi!” I called, clicking away. I could hear the smile in his voice, “Just do your thing, Ang.”
As he’s off to new adventures and leadership, I’m sure he’ll be the source of peace, humor, leadership and song that he’s been for us. I have no doubt he will succeed. He will work hard. He will sing. He will bless. He doesn’t even need to worry. He will fit right in.
Just do your thing, Rabbi. You’ll be great.
