What Am I Doing in Louisiana?

I am very excited to announce that my student pulpit for the 2013-2014 academic year will be at Congregation Gates of Prayer in New Iberia, Louisiana! ​I wanted to share some more details with you about the logistics and my role there, as many are wondering exactly what I have to do with Louisiana if I am in school in Cincinnati.

One of the most important opportunities presented to us during our studies at HUC ​is the student pulpit.  A student pulpit is the position filled by rabbinical and cantorial students when a congregation needs a rabbi or cantor, but only part time.  Sometimes we are part of a large clergy team in a huge community and sometimes, like my new congregation, we are the only rabbi in a small community.  The positions are monthly, tri-weekly and bi-weekly (and a few High Holy Days only) and as you gain more experience, you get more frequent pulpits.  We usually visit for the weekend and have a few roles throughout the course of that time.  First and foremost, we lead High Holy Day and Shabbat services.  We also facilitate adult education, help in the religious school, tutor hebrew and officiate life cycle events. Lay leaders and other community members often fill the void during the weeks that we aren't there. 

My congregation has about 35 families and is over 100 years old. It's situated in the town of New Iberia, home of the Tabasco factory, ​Shadows-on-the-Teche, Cajun Hot Sauce Festival & the World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off. I'm 90-120 minutes from Baton Rouge & New Orleans and according to Facebook, have more friends in the area than I would have guessed! 

​I am absolutely elated to be serving this community next year and cannot wait to get started! 

​And as if I could pretend I'm not excited for the music...