Friday November 30, 2001
Temple Israel, Tulsa, OK
Rabbi Daniel Sherman

Shabbat Shalom! Before I begin this evening, there are many people I would like to thank. First, I want to thank all those who have worked so hard to make this weekend happen. I know that a lot of planning has gone into this evening, as well as the rest of the weekend. Next I want to thank you, the members and families of Temple Israel. Thank you for being here tonight - your presence this evening is a great honor and tribute to your rabbi. But even more so, I want to thank you for all of the love and support you have shown to my mother and father, and to Ruth, Aaron, and me. I also want to thank all those who have worked with my father for so long - his colleagues and support staff, all those who are part of the Temple team. Thank you to everyone for making this so special for our entire family.

In that spirit, I'd also like to extend our thanks to God - who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this joyous time. Please join me in the words of the Shehecheyanu.

I want to thank Harold Katz for the invitation to speak this evening. Though, truth be known, I understand that I was not your first choice as tonight's speaker. I was told that you were looking for someone famous, someone who had grown up in this congregation, became a Bar Mitzvah here, and has gone out to make a name for himself as a role model for Jewish kids in Tulsa. Unfortunately, Billy Goldberg turned down your invitation to speak, and that's how you got stuck with me.

Which brings me to one final point before I begin. My sermon tonight is the product of a joint effort by all three Sherman children. Aaron unfortunately could not be here this Shabbat, as he is conducting services at his congregation in Long Island. If you enjoy the message this evening, I want you to know that Ruth wrote every word of it. If you don't like it . . . it was all Aarons idea! I wasn't even crazy about it from the start, but he made me do it.

It was almost two years ago that Mom and Dad came to Naples to participate in the service of my installation as assistant rabbi of Temple Shalom. Dad gave the sermon that evening. I had been on the job for six months, and Dad spoke for over thirty minutes. Tonight we are honoring my father who has been on the job for over 25 years - so you might as well make yourselves comfortable now.

I must admit that I have been somewhat nervous about this evening for quite awhile. Let me say that 25 years ago I never would have imagined my addressing the congregation on a night like this. Of course, at the time, I was only 4 years old. But it is a tough assignment. No, the tough part was not finding something nice to say about our honoree. Rather, not only am I speaking in front of family and friends, individuals who have known me all my life - but I am also speaking to the only group of people that has already heard all of my best material: namely, Dad's sermons. So this has been tough.

Throughout our history, the Jewish people has been blessed with many great leaders. This goes back to the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Genesis, to Moses - the greatest of them all, to Joshua, followed by the Judges, as well as the Kohanim (the priests) and elders of the tribes, plus our kings and prophets of Biblical times.

The destruction of the Second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 CE changed forever Jewish history. The Beit HaMikdash was gone, and our people were in exile. A new institution in Jewish life was created: the synagogue. The synagogue served three basic purposes: it was a BEIT TíFILAH - a House of Prayer, a BEIT KNESSET - a House of Assembly, and a BEIT MIDRASH - a House of Study. And with the synagogue came a new brand of Jewish leader: the rabbi.

The role of rabbi has changed greatly over the past 2000 years. This evening I would like to focus on the role of the congregational rabbi.

The role of the American Rabbi in the 21st century is multi-faceted and complex. However, I believe we could all agree on some of the basic components. The word "Rabbi" itself, means teacher - and teaching has always been the primary responsibility of the rabbi. The first rabbis were scholars, who spent their days studying Torah and Talmud, discussing God's Mitzvot, and passing along this knowledge to their students. A rabbi still today is a teacher first. We are teachers at a variety of levels. Our students are of every age: from pre-schoolers to teens to adults to seniors.

Along with teaching comes preaching. The rabbi is an orator, a writer and deliverer of sermons, drashes, and divrei Torah. Preaching is a wonderful opportunity to teach, enlighten, and inspire a congregation - and it is a big part of what we rabbis do.

Of course, teaching and preaching are just the beginning. The congregational rabbi is also a service and prayer leader. The rabbi is a pastor - helping people in need, visiting those who are sick, comforting those who have suffered a loss, sharing in times of joy, and so much more.

The rabbi is the spiritual leader of the congregation, as well as a representative of the Jewish community and of the Jewish people as a whole.

But you already know that. Anyone who knows Rabbi Charles Sherman of Tulsa, knows what a rabbi is - for you have one of the best right here, serving this congregation. Dad is a wonderful leader, teacher, preacher, pastor - and so much more. He not only fits the description of a good rabbi - his work helps to define the position.

But he's much more than just this. He adds so much to what it means to be a Rabbi. Therefore, with the help of Mrs. Jacobs, I would like literally to spell out how Dad goes above and beyond the description of the congregational rabbi.

For Rabbi Charles Sherman, the "R" in the word "Rabbi" stands for ROLE MODEL. Dad is a role model for all of us.
Let's start with the congregation. Dad has been teaching here for the past 25 years. Dad has imparted important lessons and set high moral standards. And as we all know, actions speak louder than words. And Rabbi Sherman has always been known to practice what he preaches. He understands the importance of AVODAH - service to God. We serve God in many ways. When we practice our religion and live Jewish lives, we serve God. When we help out our neighbor, we serve God. When we work to make our community and our world a better place, we serve God.

And this is exactly what Dad has done, ever since he arrived in Tulsa. He can walk the walk and not just talk the talk. His commitment to his congregation, to his flock, is uncompromising. His dedication and his love for this Temple, for all the families and individuals who comprise this holy congregation, are without equal. Dad has given his heart and soul to serving Temple Israel and serving God by his actions. We can all learn from his example.

And Dad has been an important and active community leader. He takes up good causes - he understands the importance of giving back to the community. The list of projects and groups with which he has been involved here in Tulsa is quite long - and very meaningful to him. Again, there is so much we can learn from him.

Rabbi Sherman is also a role model when it comes to his own family. Aaron, Ruth, and I have been blessed with two very loving, caring, and supportive parents. Mom and Dad - you have both taught us much by your examples.
My father loves what he does. We love who he is.

And Dad has been a role model to many Rabbinic students - not just myself and Aaron. Dad has served as a field mentor through Hebrew Union College and has helped to teach many students what it means to be a rabbi. He has also helped younger colleagues within the region. He is always happy to share his knowledge and experience - they are an invaluable resource.

For Rabbi Charles Sherman, the "A" in Rabbi stands for ADVISOR. It is incredible, the array of stories, situations, problems, crises, and questions that people have brought to Dad. His kids included. People come to him because they know that Rabbi Sherman is always ready and willing to listen, to comfort and counsel, to offer advice, to help find a solution.

Dad loves working with people, getting to know people, helping people out. Whether it is helping a 7th grade student prepare for his becoming a Bar Mitzvah, or a high school senior choosing a college, or a couple preparing for marriage, or a new family that has moved into town, or parents having problems with children, or an individual going through hard times, or someone who has just lost a family member - the list goes on and on. Dad may not always have all the answers, but you can't help but go away from him feeling a little better. The advice he offers comes from Jewish law and tradition, plus his own personal experiences and observations, and from simply being a mensch.

For 25 years, Rabbi Sherman has been there for you. Listening and counseling, supporting and caring, getting involved in people's lives. That's one of the best parts of this job - the opportunity to touch lives and to become a part of so many families. One of the greatest compliments Dad can receive, is when he is called "our family rabbi."

For Rabbi Charles Sherman, one of the "B's" in Rabbi stands for BUSINESSMAN. This is probably a side of Rabbi Sherman that many of you are unfamiliar with. There is more to being a rabbi than simply the spiritual and teaching aspects. Dad happens to be a wonderful and talented administrator. He's got a good business kopf - which he puts to use with the day-to-day workings of this congregation and with all that happens behind the scenes.

Yes, Rabbis do much more than lead services. There are all of those meetings with boards and committees. There's fundraising to help out with. And there are budgets to put together and argue over and adhere to. One must handle today's issues, as well as plan for the future.

Some rabbis refuse to get involved in this part of running a congregation. And though it is not always his favorite part, Dad excels in it. Temple Israel has been the beneficiary of his work in this field since he first arrived here - you have been very fortunate to be served by such a businessman. (Of course, as a child, that made negotiating a raise in allowance trickier.)
For Rabbi Charles Sherman, the "I" in Rabbi stands for INNOVATOR. Dad is incredibly creative. He always seems to be coming up with new ideas. And he is not afraid to try new things, take some risks, and make changes where and when changes are necessary.

Dad is a leader in the field in so many ways. There are many Rabbis throughout this country who have looked to Rabbi Sherman for new ideas and or new approaches. And Dad always keeps his eyes open for new programs and ideas. He understands that to be an innovator, one does not always have to reinvent the wheel by him or herself. Dad keeps in touch with colleagues all over the country. He reads more Temple bulletins than anyone I know. Always looking for something new, a new program, a new service, a new way of reaching people. A new direction to help make Temple Israel an even better place.

And finally - for Rabbi Charles Sherman, the other "B" in Rabbi stands for BLESSING. For the past quarter-century, Rabbi Sherman has been a blessing to this congregation.

In Genesis Chapter 12, God says to Abraham, "Go forth from your native land and from your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing."

25 years ago, Nancy and Charles Sherman left West Hartford, CT to come to Tulsa. They came to raise a family and to serve a loving and warm congregation. And for 25 years, they have been a blessing. You have blessed so many of us - all of us who know you, all of us whom you've touched over the years. You have blessed us with your presence, your love and devotion, your caring and compassion, your knowledge, your sense of humor - everything that makes you the wonderful rabbi that you are.

And knowing my parents, they would respond that Temple Israel has been a blessing for them, as well. Here in Tulsa, they found a loving and supportive congregation and a wonderful place to raise a family and call home. Here, Dad has been allowed to grow, to lead, to push and pull, and to succeed.

I think we would all agree that it's been a good shiddach. The rabbinic-congregational relationship has often been likened to a marriage. On many ketubbot, one finds the following words: "LO ISH B'LO ISHAH, V'LO ISHAH B'LO ISH. V'LO SHNEIHEM B'LO SHECHINAH - Neither man without woman, nor woman without man, nor both of them without God's presence."

The marriage of a rabbi and congregation is more than an ordinary human partnership. It requires a divine dimension. It is a sacred association with a transcendent purpose. As a 19th century Protestant minister once wrote, "The whole of the relation, then between the minister (or rabbi in this case) is plain. They belong together… They must be filled with mutual respect. He is their leader, but his leadership is not one, constant strain, and never is forgetful of the higher guidance upon which they both rely… It is one of the highest pictures of human companionship that can be seen on earth… It is too sacred to be thought of as a contract. It is a union which God joins together for purposes worthy of God's care."
This union, between Rabbi Sherman and Temple Israel of Tulsa, OK, for the last 25 years has been one worthy of God's care and deserving of God's most precious blessings.

And so we say thank you tonight. We are grateful for the past 25 years - and we look forward towards the next 25.

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