I wanted to share with you an interesting incident which occurred last Sabbath following a Bar Mitzvah at our synagogue.
I often invite visitors to come up to the Bimah (the sanctuary stage) after services and ask any questions about Judaism, or any other topic.
One young man took me up on the offer. He was about 14 years of age and told me he and his family are members of another Long Island congregation.
He approached and inquired, "where are the rabbi and cantor?"
I replied, "I am the rabbi, and the cantor is over there shaking hands."
"No no," said the young man. "Where are the rabbi and cantor?"
I repeated, "I am the rabbi."
"You can't be the rabbi," he insisted. "You're not a woman. In every Temple I've ever been to the rabbi and cantor have been women."
"I assure you I am a rabbi," I replied.
"Wait a minute," said the young man. "You mean men can be rabbis too?"
I sighed. "Yes, they can."
"Then maybe one day I can be a rabbi," he said.
"Maybe," I replied. "We live in a world where things are changing. Anything is possible."
......
Indeed friends, we've come a long way....
Kol tuv (with all goodness)
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
