The Rabbi as Communal Empowerer

Navigating the landscape of communal Rabbinics demands a clear set of guiding principles. Hillel the Elder directs us to emulate Aharon, bringing people closer to Torah (Avot 1:12). This pursuit has a range of flavours but, at its core, seeks to establish pathways for Jews to connect with their Torah, their People, and their God. The communal Rabbi, therefore, plays a crucial role in facilitating these connections. Whilst he cannot coerce or manipulate congregants, the Rabbi can curate opportunities that empower individuals to deepen these connections.

In the diverse communities of the United Synagogue, these pathways must be inclusive, catering to everyone regardless of their starting point or background. Rabbi Tarfon is speaking to all Jews when he notes that “it is not for you to finish the work but nor are you ever free to neglect it” (Avot 2:16).

On a granular level, the nature of the task will vary based on the Rabbi and community and such diversity is essential as it emphasises creativity and responsiveness, rather than a generic approach. This in turn acknowledges that the unique personalities and contributions of both Rabbi and congregant are essential. Still, asking better questions will certainly assist in this endeavour, regardless of the unique circumstances.

In an article for the Harvard Business Review titled ‘The Surprising Power of Questions’ the authors Alison Wood Brooks and Leslie K. John write that questioning “is a uniquely powerful tool for unlocking value in organisations: it spurs learning and the exchange of ideas, fuels innovation and performance improvement."

This is not news to the Jewish tradition which has always placed a premium on questions as a catalyst for growth. Each year our identity is reaffirmed through asking questions at Seder Night. And our core legal text, the Talmud, is dominated by questions used to move the discussion towards truth and clarity. Questions focus the mind, highlight blind spots, and prompt creative solutions.

With this said, two questions should guide Rabbinic operations. Firstly, "What obstacles currently hinder congregants from connecting?" This reflection identifies priority issues requiring attention and rectification. The second question is its inverse, asking, "How can we create more opportunities for the community to connect?" This question forms the foundation of a strategy, identifying areas for deepened connections and suggesting ways to reconfigure them when necessary, maximising their utility in empowering the community to grow.