Spring of 2025—50 years since ordination in Cincinnati (and further memories of five previous years of HUC-JIR with student pulpits, and two and a half years of serving/training as “pre-rabbinic intern” at my home congregation in Cleveland). It has been an entire lifetime of identifying and finding fulfillment as a rabbi.
When asked why this was my chosen lifestyle, I inevitably respond that I never seriously considered doing anything else; teaching, working with youth, supporting those in need, being on the stage, helping the Jewish people, repairing the world, and wrestling with God. I knew that I could do all of them—praying that I would be successful in at least some of them—in the role known as rav. Gratefully, my mentors and family have all lovingly been with me on my journey.
I take great pride in knowing that I have had a positive influence on many people in the communities which I have served. I am humbled that many have overlooked or forgiven my faults and mistakes. I look back with fondness and approval at the number of my former students and campers who have chosen to devote their lives to Jewish professional life. B’kitzur, I have immense satisfaction and contentment in what I have accomplished. Ani samei-ach b’chelki.
From the pulpit, I have tried to instruct and interpret Torah. In the university classroom, I have tried to represent our tradition and history in such a way as to further interreligious respect and understanding; and (in the happiest experiences I have shared) working with NFTY teens in their leadership development, I have tried to be a role model and guide, while at the same time, relishing in the ruach that recharged my soul’s batteries.
What do I look forward to? Im yir’tzeh HaShem, I will continue to be a “part-time” rabbi to my community of seniors and retirees. And hopefully, being blessed with the strength, health, wisdom and love to be a better husband, father, father-in-law, and zayde.
Rabbi Norman Roman is celebrating 50 years as a Reform rabbi. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, Michigan and also serves Beth Shalom Temple Center in Green Valley, Arizona. We look forward to celebrating him and all of the CCAR’s 50-year rabbis when we come together at CCAR Convention 2025.
