WHO WE ARE
The Massachusetts Board of Rabbis (MBR) is an organization of rabbis of various streams and groups serving congregations, agencies and institutions within Massachusetts. Its membership consists of men and women from across the denominational spectrum who come together for fellowship, religious camaraderie, educational enrichment, and to speak with a single voice on behalf of our Jewish community.
Thanks to the efforts of an active Executive Committee, led by President Daniel Liben and Managing Director, Alan Teperow, the MBR has grown dramatically as an organization over the past few years. The organization has become reenergized, and the result has been outstanding, timely, and relevant programming.
Our membership has expanded from 40 several years ago to now over 120 members, and the outreach continues with a focus on non-pulpit rabbis (Hillel staff, retired colleagues and others) who crave the collegiality of an organization such as the MBR. The MBR publishes a directory of members each year, which eases communication among rabbis as well as between rabbis and a variety of Jewish organizations. Indeed the rabbinic community is beginning to speak with a more confident voice through the MBR, and the future looks even brighter.
The MBR hopes to expand programming and community-building efforts in the future, to find more venues for rabbis of the different denominations to come together and to continue to reach out to rabbinic colleagues in the area to connect them to the community at large.
RECENT HAPPENINGS
June 2010 - Reuven Kimelman Teaches at Yamim Noraim Seminar
Click on the play button below to listen to Rabbi Kimelman's presentation.
March 2010 - Yom Iyyun Features Larry Fine
Lawrence Fine, the Irene Kaplan Leiwant Professor of Jewish Studies and professor of Religion at Mount Holyoke College, was the MBR's Yom Iyyun speaker on March 16, 2010. Fine is a well-published scholar of Kabbalah and Hasidism with special interests in mystical experience and practice, and mystical communities. We were fortunate to have Larry Fine as our scholar-in-residence to discuss "Spiritual Friendship among the Kabbalists of Safed and Jerusalem in the 16th-17th Centuries", followed by lunch and an afternoon session on "Love and Friendship in Classical Hasidism". Those fortunate enough to attend the Yom Iyyun were able to study these concepts in order to understand the importance of the interpersonal to the Hasidim, and to consider how these might speak to us today. (Photo caption: Rabbis Lawrence Fine (L) and Daniel Liben)
October 2009 - MBR Welcomes Capers Funnye to Boston
The MBR was proud to welcome Capers Funnye, a Chicago-based African American rabbi, to Boston on Thursday, October 29th. Funnye recounted his journey into Judaism and the rabbinate, as well as the challenges he faces being a rabbi of color. Fifty MBR members participated in what proved to be an enlightening conversation not only because of Funnye's background, but also as an exploration into diversity and inclusiveness in the Jewish community.
Dan Liben, MBR President, introduces Capers Funnye |
Capers Funnye recounts his interesting story |
October 2009 - MBR Passes "Statement on Labor"
Following in the historic tradition of the MBR to take stands on pressing issues of public policy, the MBR passed a "Statement on Labor" at its October 29, 2009 meeting. Drawing on Torah and rabbinic tradition, the statement "recognizes the rights and dignity of American workers, and supports legislation that safeguards and promotes their wellbeing". For the full statement, please go to the Public Policy page.
June 2009 - Yamim Noraim Workshop
The annual Yamim Noraim Yamim Noraim Workshop and Israel Bonds Luncheon was held on June 4th as a wonderful closing event for the year. The program, attended by over 50 of our members, not only enabled rabbis to study text with a master teacher, but also afforded us the opportunity to support Israel Bonds and hear from Stanley Davids - Honorary Chairman, State of Israel Bonds Rabbinic Cabinet.
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| Pictured above is Dr. Nehemia Polen, Professor of Jewish Thought and director of the Hasidic Text Institute at Hebrew College, who gave a stirring and thoughtful talk on "Hasidic Texts and Themes for the Yamim Noraim". Click on the play button below to listen to his presentation.
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At MBR's Election of Officers, incoming President, Dan Liben, thanked Eric Gurvis for his two years of devoted service as MBR President. |