Rabbi Joel Schwartzman’s Lessons Learned during 50 Years as a Reform Rabbi

I can think of few less compelling subjects than recalling, examining, and documenting my fifty-year rabbinic career. That my wife, Ziva, and I spent twenty-three and a half years in the United States Air Force and another ten years serving three very differing congregations probably would not inspire others to follow in our footsteps.

I belonged to a small rabbinic dynasty. My father, Dr. Rabbi Sylvan D. Schwartzman, z”l, used to teach a practical rabbinics course (“Ed 7”) at the Cincinnati campus of HUC-JIR. It involved techniques and insights that would enable a rabbi to not only to survive but to prosper in congregational life. He offered information on parsonage and other financial subjects.

I have thought that imparting some of my own derived lessons would be of greater interest than explaining my approach to the rabbinate, which I will say centered around building community, deeply immersed in the practice of Jewish life and the study of Torah, offering a fierce defense of Israel, and celebrating involvement in klal Yisrael. Practically speaking, then, here is my list of learned and now suggested pointers for congregational rabbis:

1. Be deliberate about who may serve on the temple board. Accepting volunteers is unwise. Prospective board members need to be vetted and trained in various aspects of board service. Taking just anyone very often winds up creating problems.
   
2. Be deliberate about the board’s evaluation of the rabbi. That which doesn’t move the congregation forward is not germane and ought not be permitted.  The process can become a grab bag of complaints and negative observations that only serve to undermine the rabbi’s position and places negative, resentful thoughts in the rabbi’s head. Taking a firm stand on this process is a self and congregational preserving necessity.
   
3. Mutually protecting and honoring each other is a critical part of the relationship between the congregational president and the rabbi. If the president doesn’t support the rabbi publicly, it may well be time to consider entering placement. Operating in a hostile environment threatens a rabbi’s role and exacerbates problems all around. 
   
4. Document! Documenting when synagogue employees fall down on the job or when a situation seems volatile is just good self-protective policy. Details that aren’t recorded often become vague and cloudy. Better to make notes at the time of the incident rather than to depend upon memory.
   
5. Exercising daily is important for one’s mental and physical health. It is a great stress reliever and also offers time for reflection. I believe that physical activity need not be overly strenuous, but it does result in a healthier lifestyle.
   
6. Never take your frustrations into your sermons. They will only serve to come back to undermine and bite you. Speak positively in public and be mindful of your goals for the congregation and community.
   
7. Do not be reluctant to find more experienced colleagues who may provide a good sounding board, solid advice, and supportive counsel. A good shoulder to lean on and, perhaps, even study with can be a God-sent. In lieu of, but part of this package, maybe a therapist who has some understanding of clergy life, its vagaries and challenges.

There are myriad other areas and approaches that an essay like this could cover. But one final observation may be the most valuable. In my experience, it is that the rabbis who genuinely care for their congregants, and go the extra mile to demonstrate that care, who are the ones who best succeed in the rabbinate. These individuals also practice self-care, not allowing themselves to fall victim to exhaustion (because there are always pop-up exigencies that will require attention and energy). The true mensches in our profession are more often than not the ones whose rabbinates become shining examples.

Some of us are better programmers than others. Some have other strengths. We each try to serve the Jewish people and it is hopefully our legacy that we shall have sustained and nurtured Jewish life in significant and satisfying ways. It is my wish that through my service to our people I have gained some wisdom that, through these words, will enhance and enlighten your path as well.

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Rabbi Joel Schwartzman is celebrating 50 years as a Reform rabbi. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation B’nai Chaim in Morrison, Colorado. We look forward to celebrating him and all of the CCAR’s 50-year rabbis when we come together at CCAR Convention 2025.