The Sag Harbor native and generalist, who is studying to become a Rabbi while cycling her way around Israel to raise awareness for environmental sustainability and Arab-Israeli co-existence.

Minna, what inspired you to move away from home and what led you to rabbinical studies in Israel?

I was in the middle of graduate school for sociology when I decided to be a rabbi. I had become very involved with my synagogue in Chicago and realized that I wanted to be doing something involving teaching and spiritual leadership in the Jewish community. One big part of my decision was that I realized that – as a singer, writer, and sociologist – I could be all of those at once as a rabbi. We live in a society that values specialization, for example, doctors, academics, etcetera, and, in contrast to this, I see my role as a generalist – a bridge-builder. Being a rabbi allows me to bring my whole self to my work. ? 

Being in Israel is an especially important part of my training to be a rabbi. It helps me better understand in more nuanced ways what is really going on in this challenging and beautiful country. It also will help me in my work in the American Jewish community – there is so much wonderful Hebrew poetry and literature and creative work going on here that I want to be able to share with my future congregants. 

 

Could you tell me briefly about your past and what experiences helped shape your decision to become a spiritual leader?

I grew up in Sag Harbor and then went to college at Simon’s Rock, a small college in the Berkshires. During and after college, I worked for the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater teaching environmental education on sailboats. I went to graduate school for sociology at Northwestern University and wrote my doctoral dissertation on interfaith couples. While living in Chicago, I connected much more deeply with the two passions that drive my work today: singing and the Jewish community. 

My grandparents, Ida and Larry Abelman, moved to Sag Harbor in 1945. My mother, Margaret, was involved with the synagogue in Sag Harbor [Temple Adas Israel] from a young age and I enjoyed going to services there as a kid. The positive experience I had at the local synagogue definitely influenced my decision to become a rabbi. ? 

 

What are some of the things you’ve experienced during your rabbinical studies and what are you focusing on right now?

While completing my studies for rabbinic ordination, I’ve had the opportunity to work at a variety of synagogues as well as to develop some of my own teaching. The main thrust of my teaching work is using singing as a vehicle for connecting with our truest selves. I help people find their voices in physical, psychological, and spiritual senses of the word. In addition to working with private students, I also run workshops which combine singing, writing, and traditional Jewish text study. This year I’ve been studying in Jerusalem and when I get back I have one more year of rabbinical school at Hebrew College in Boston.

 

What sort of spiritual guidance are followers seeking, and what do you see happening across many different religions?

The spiritual guidance and comfort I’ve been most impressed with is that which I see coming out of individual communities of faith – churches, synagogues, mosques. In times when our very sense of who we are can be threatened by the loss of a job or a home, it’s amazing how communities of faith, at their best, can remind us that our worth is inherent. They provide the space for the simple human connections which feed our souls. I know of a number of congregations that are also working on more material ways to support their members including using the community’s own social networks to try to help people find work. ? 

 

Would you direct people somewhere that could give spiritual guidance for those in need?

I personally have been enjoying listening to Speaking of Faith, a radio program that has been focusing on spirituality in the face of the economic crisis. Their website is speakingoffaith.org

 

What do you feel is the most helpful practice for overall well-being?

I think many of us walk around feeling like we are made up of parts that don’t quite fit together or that form a picture that we feel won’t be accepted by those around us. My work in helping people find their voices aims to use singing and traditional Jewish text study as a way of integrating mind, body, and spirit; weaving together our seemingly disparate parts. I think there are many, many other modalities that can do this same integrative work, which I think is essential. ? 

 

How did you begin getting interested in cycling and what inspired you to become such a cyclist enthusiast?

Riding 300 miles from Tel Aviv to Eilat with the Hazon Israel Ride [a cycling group based in Israel] seems like an amazing way to see more of this beautiful country. Along with my boyfriend, and dozens of other riders, I’ll be riding from ‘sea to shining sea’ but on a much smaller scale: from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Eilat – an inlet of the Red Sea. 

More importantly, the ride lets me raise money and awareness for two issues that are important to me: environmental sustainability and Arab-Israeli co-existence. Anyone interested in learning more about the bike ride or making a contribution to our fund-raising efforts can start by visiting my website (minnabromberg.com) and clicking on the link “Hazon Ride.”

My partner, Rabbi Alan Abrams is an avid cyclist and it’s his passion for cycling that drew me to it. Last spring we spent five days riding around between Mystic, Connecticut and Block Island – with the help of the ferry. Hazon – the organization we’ll be riding with – also has yearly rides in New York and Alan has participated in the past. ? 

 

Approximately how many people will be traveling and how long will it take? 

There will be about 40 of us riding and we’ll ride from April 28th to May 6th. All in all we’ll have five days of riding with a rest in the middle to celebrate Shabbat, the Sabbath, together. Shabbat will be spent at Machtesh Ramon which is a huge desert crater with spectacular views. One of the amazing things about Israel is that it is a tiny country which is very geographically diverse. On our ride we’ll be going from the Mediterranean coastal plain all the way through an ever-changing desert landscape and down to Eilat – known for its snorkeling.

 

How much money have you raised so far and how far off your goal are you now? 

We’ve committed to raising at least $7000 and we’ve raised $5000 so far. We’re definitely still looking for folks to help put us over the top. One thing that’s particularly meaningful for me is that we’re raising money for the Arava Institute which works on environmental sustainability and Arab-Israeli co-existence. Especially after the most recent war with Gaza, it can be hard to have a sense of something positive that individuals can do to foster peace and co-existence in the region. Donating to our ride is one small positive thing that anyone can do.

So far we’ve been getting donations of anything from $18 – a special number in the Jewish tradition because it stands for ‘life’ – to $500 and we’re grateful for any amount. It’s been powerful to feel supported by so many people, even if they can only give a little bit. I feel as if we are taking them all with us when we ride.

 

Do you have any tricks for long bike rides? 

One important part of training is definitely just getting the body used to being ‘in the saddle’ for extended periods. To do this, I’ve been trying to make riding part of my everyday life for the last few months, like riding back and forth to classes. I’ve also been taking longer training rides right here in Jerusalem. It’s very hilly here so my training rides are definitely good for working on my climbing skills.

 

What suggestions can you make for people to find relief or ways people can de-stress, in light of the current state of the economy world-wide? 

Honestly, one thing that’s been interesting about being in Jerusalem is that, while I certainly get news of the global economic crisis from friends and news sources, I don’t think we’re focused on it in Israel here as people are in the States.?One thing I will say is that, while rabbis jobs are not unaffected by the crisis – I’m definitely more worried about finding work than I otherwise would have been and I definitely know rabbis who have lost their jobs. I do feel blessed to be in a field where we are allowed and expected to be asking questions of meaning. What’s this all about? What should our priorities be in difficult times? I am reminded of a favorite Bertolt Brecht poem which goes like this:?In the dark times?/ Will there also be singing? /?Yes, there will be singing?/ About the dark times.

 

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