Leading with Bravery and Truth

I was president of B’nai Jeshurun from September of 2020 through June of 2023, but my first leadership position was back in 2010 when I co-chaired the Membership Steering Committee. This lay committee covered many aspects of BJ’s various constituencies but what I remember most was it being the repository for concerns from fellow congregants. One memorable grievance arose when the rabbis decided to change and add to the various melodies that accompanied our prayers on Shabbat. The word “piyut” raised negative connotations among a vocal group of members and there was a deep desire to stick with the melodies that folks knew and were comfortable with. This prompted what I remember to be my first meeting with our beloved Rabbi Roly Matalon. I presented the concerns I was hearing and after a moment of consideration Roly politely told me “we all need to get a little uncomfortable from time to time.” Roly had me at “uncomfortable” and from that moment onwards, I knew he would be an influential teacher in my life. What I didn’t know was that he would become a friend, a mentor, and a partner in crime. 

In this week’s parashah, Shelah, God asks Moses to send representatives from each of the 12 tribes to scout out the Land of Canaan and to report back on what lies ahead for the Israelites as they enter the Promised Land. On their return, ten of the 12 scouts paint a really dire picture—but Caleb and Joshua push back, speaking out positively against the negative reports of the ten. These two dissenters had the bravery to buck the tide and to speak up for what they believed to be true. For me, Roly exemplifies the two dissenters of this story—he has never allowed fear to get in the way of leading with his truth, regardless of how challenging the path might be. Leading with bravery and truth is the greatest teaching Roly has given me.

My life has changed as a result of Roly’s presence and my deep involvement at BJ. I feel that I have become a better version of myself because of this magical place. And I suspect that these words resonate with many other members when thinking about the impact that Roly and BJ have had on their lives. I feel obliged to pay these gifts forward to the next generation of BJ members and this is why I have given to the Bicentennial Campaign and am asking that every member of this extraordinary community join me in doing so. Paying these gifts forward and supporting BJ’s future might just make our fractious world a little kinder, a little better. 

I could write and write and write about all I have learned from Roly, but I suspect the list will continue to grow as time goes on—because I bet many lessons will come to me even after he is not as present in my day-to-day life. I feel blessed to know him and to love him. Mostly I feel blessed to have felt his holiness and witness the devotion he has for this community, the Jewish people, the collective Israel, and humanity at large. May God bless Roly and all he loves, as God has blessed us with him for these 40 years. What a gift he has been to us all.

Shabbat shalom,

Suzanne Schecter