TRIBUTES to RABBI RIM

Talks given on June 13, 2008 celebrating Rabbi Rim’s Tenth Anniversary with Temple Shir Tikvah

Words to Rim
on the Occasion of His More Than a Decade with Shir Tikvah

by Diane Boettcher

Twenty-four and a half years ago, in December 1984, 33 Winchester families each contributed $275 dollars in dues to start Temple Shir Tikvah, then known as The Jewish Congregation of Winchester. It was the third meeting, better known as the “Fish or Cut Bait” meeting, held at Winchester Hospital, to see if we could actually marshal the forces to become a real Reform temple. We began our journey that night with divvying up the jobs and we elected our lay Ritual Committee chairs. By late February 1985, we were having our first service. It was held in the special Tucker Room at the First Congregational Church, our neighbor just down the block.

Sometime in that year we hired our very first, very part-time rabbi, Cathy Felix. I think her contract was ¼ time. She came for services, sometimes with her new baby in tow, and was available for special occasions and life-cycle events. She officiated at our daughter’s bat mitzvah, one of Shir Tikvah’s first, but I don’t think we actually met with her about the occasion until the service began.

Our next rabbi, starting sometime about 1990, was Rabbi David Kudan. David was a bit younger than most of the founders, who were now in their late 30s and early 40s, and was the choice for the many of us who didn’t want a rabbi who was too mature in years, and who might think he could tell us what to do. David brought music to the services with his guitar and eventually moved from being ½ time to becoming our first full-time rabbi.

After about 7 years, it was time to look for our next rabbi. At this point we were almost 13 years old, and we all know what being in that stage means! We were entering adolescence and planning for our move out of Stoneham back into Winchester. It may not have been totally coincidental that Rim and Anne entered during the “Pink House” controversy, seeing that they too abide in a big pink house on Route 9. We were at a time where we wanted a mature leader, but one who would keep the participatory spirit of our congregation and would also be able to use his or her experience to provide spiritual guidance and wisdom to both adults and kids. We wanted someone who appreciated the diversity of ways Shir Tikvah members wanted to express their Judaism, celebrate holidays, participate in life-cycle events, and engage as families. We wanted a teacher, a preacher, a counselor, and an organizational consultant all rolled into one. And, low and behold, we found him!!

Rim has been the right person at the right time! We are so truly blessed to have found such a match. Our congregation has grown and flourished under Rim’s leadership and Anne’s warmth. Their true dedication to Shir Tikvah has made us feel like a family. Rim is leader who is wise, works hard, and seems to truly love this place as much as most of us do. Thank you, Rim, for dedicating your life to us throughout these 10, but really 11 years!

Fondly,
Diane Boettcher
Founder and Past President