By Anthony Bottan
Rabbi Andrew Warmflash, the former rabbi at the Congregation Gesher Shalom in Fort Lee, N.J., is ready to do what he says he does best - teach. Warmflash, who is originally from South Orange, N.J., has been a rabbi for 31 years at temples in Fairmont, N.J. and Bronx, N.Y. He said he will miss his friends at his former temple, but is happy to be joining a congregation that has a strong sense of community and is multi-generational.
"The first thing I want to do is get to know the people, the congregation and its culture. I have no grand plans beyond that," Warmflash said.
Though Warmflash embraces his new position, there was a time when he did not know what career path he would follow. As a psychology major at the University of Pennsylvania, Warmflash finished school in only three years. He initially wanted to go to law school and was accepted into several law programs. However, he was unsure if law school was the right career choice, so he decided to take a year off after graduating.
Warmflash described his home as predominantly Jewish, though his family were not observant. During his year off, Warmflash realized he wanted to learn more about his faith and its history, so he entered the Jewish Theological Seminary. He originally thought that, after taking a year-long "rabbinical crash course," he would revert back to his original plan of becoming a lawyer when he was finished. Unfortunately, the decision was not that easy.
"I thought I would go back to law school after the course was done, but then I was hooked," Warmflash said.
At the seminary, Warmflash studied writings from Rabbi Abraham Heschel, a Jewish Scholar from the 20th century. He said Heshel's books on Judaism influenced and sparked his deep interest in the religion. "I found inspiration in his writing and it was a voice that resonated," Warmflash said.
Another source of inspiration to Warmflash was Arthur Green, a professor he had at the University of Pennsylvania. Green was the person who originally introduced Jewish studies to Warmflash, who said Green's teachings were "captivating." After seven years at the seminary, Warmflash was ready to be a rabbi and a teacher.
Though it is a new position for him, he is not worried about the workload because he said the center has "exceptional volunteers" who will help him acclimate to his new role. "I don't believe in top-down leadership," Warmflash said. The rabbi said he is committed to the full participation of women, which is very important to him.
The center will be hosting a Gala Selichot evening this Saturday, Sept. 8, at 8:30 p.m. for the congregation to welcome Warmflash to the center. He will be attending with his wife, Beth Heit, with whom he recently celebrated 29 years of marriage.
A Holiday Message
By Rabbi Andrew Warmflash
As the sun sets on Wednesday evening, Jewish people around the world will begin the celebration Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a festival that marks the beginning of a ten day long period of self reflection and spiritual renewal known as the "High Holy Days."
According to an ancient rabbinic tradition, Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of God's creation of humanity. The mood of the festival is joyous and celebratory, but its themes are deeply serious: Like all anniversaries, Rosh Hashanah is a reminder of our mortality. It serves as a spiritual wake up call, reminding us that "the clock is ticking, we are growing older and with each passing year our time on earth is diminishing.
The highlight of the synagogue service on Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the Shofar, a ram's horn. Its staccato blasts serve as a call to repentance. They are intended to awaken us from spiritual lethargy and challenge us to seek forgiveness from God for our sins, to repair damaged relationships with other people, and to rededicate ourselves to improving the world in partnership with God.
