Dear beloved JHJC community,
As many of you know, my time at Teton Science Schools wrapped up this past Thursday after 19 wonderful years. This transition represents a unique moment for my family and me—a “mini-sabbatical” that will take us away from Jackson starting in February, with a return planned for the first week of June.
Our journey begins in Pittsburgh, where I will participate in a Clinical Pastoral Education program. This involves 300 hours of clinical service as a hospital chaplain at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, alongside 100 hours of specialized education and mentorship. While this is a required step in my Rabbinic studies, I am deeply honored to do this work and build skills to better serve our JHJC upon my return. As a bonus, this time allows us to be close to my parents, who live in Pittsburgh.
While the details of the later months are still in formation, we plan to spend time in Israel, continuing my Rabbinic studies with immersive learning in the Holy Land.
Our entire family is embarking on this adventure together. We are excited for the twins to experience homeschooling and for Revi to complete her second semester of 9th grade through online coursework. As you might imagine, they’ll be deeply engaged in place-based learning wherever our travels take us!
To ensure our community remains vibrant and supported during my absence, I have worked closely with the JHJC staff, board, and community members. Our plan includes:
- Shabbat & Holidays: Judd will continue to lead services as always. He, Mary, and Brad will also be inviting Carl Levenson and other community members into leadership roles throughout the spring, with some possible special visiting guests too.
- Bet Sefer: We have an amazing team in place to lead our weekly kids’ program (both current and new team members) with more details being shared with Bet Sefer families and available to the community as a whole upon request.
- Lifecycle Events: Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, wedding preparations, etc will continue virtually without interruption.
- Daily Prayer: I will continue leading morning prayers (Monday–Friday) while in Pittsburgh. Once in Israel, I will adjust my engagement with our morning davening leaders (the time difference may be a bit trickier!).
- Torah Study: Our weekly study will continue, led by me virtually and by our beloved Carl Levenson.
- Pastoral Support: The JHJC team is available as needs arise, and I will be available from afar as well.
- Staying Connected: I plan to share updates and “jump into” Shabbat services intermittently to share learnings from our travels.
We look forward to returning to the valley in early June for a summer filled with Jewish life—Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, services, and the joy of opening our new building. I am excited to explore how to make this wonderful world of Judaism in Jackson Hole my full focus going forward.
I will remain available via email josh@jhjewishcommunity.org and phone (WhatsApp while in Israel) should you have questions, concerns, or simply wish to be in touch.
I am profoundly grateful to Mary, Brad, Judd, the Bet Sefer team, the JHJC board and Carl for their incredible support in making this distance learning experience possible.
It is an honor to serve this community, and I look forward to being back with you in person this June.
— B’ahava, Josh