Jewish New Year is a time for reflection

By Jordan Cohen

The small Orthodox congregation couldn’t afford a full-time rabbi.

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is under way, and Rabbi Binyomin Simon had a message for his small congregation at Children of Israel Synagogue in Liberty.

“It’s time to take a step back and reflect,” Simon said, “and be proud of your accomplishments but acknowledge those things you could have done differently.”

The rabbi said his comments about the Jewish New Year of 5770 also highlight challenges he and his congregation face. Simon is the only Orthodox rabbi in the Mahoning Valley, and his congregation numbers fewer than 60.

Orthodox, one of three branches of Judaism, believes in the principles of adhering to kosher (Jewish dietary law) meals and a traditional observance of the Sabbath. It follows a more strict interpretation of Jewish law than the other two branches, Conservative and Reformed. Men and women sit separately during religious services.

“We believe that God gave the Torah [Jewish religious laws and ethical texts] to Moses at Mount Sinai,” the rabbi explained, “but the majority of our membership is not necessarily strictly observant, and we welcome all Jews regardless of the manner of their observance.”

The observance began at sundown Friday and continues until sundown Sunday.

These are the first Rosh Hashana services at Children of Israel for Simon, who has been in the Youngstown area for less than a year, having moved here from Los Angeles. Simon said he understands the difficulties of leading the Mahoning Valley’s only Orthodox synagogue, which is located in the same building that houses the much larger Conservative congregation El Emeth on Logan Way. The congregation is too small to hire a full-time rabbi, so Simon is a part-time hire.

To supplement his pay, the rabbi relies on a profession that is not usually associated with the clergy.

“I work in tech support and quality assurance software testing for a company in Los Angeles,” the rabbi said. “I can do everything remotely from my home office, and I have to return to Los Angeles only a few times a year.”

Simon, 32, is considering other ways to spread the word about his congregation, including its Web site, www.youngstownshul.org.

He thinks the temple’s location close to Interstate 80 may help draw travelers interested in Orthodox services. However, the rabbi said his biggest concern as the New Year begins is the status of Jewish education in the Youngstown area.

“We have to find ways of educating people to make educated decisions and, from a religious perspective, motivate them to keep religion as a priority,” the rabbi said.

Simon, who lives in Liberty with his wife and two daughters, said his message on Rosh Hashana is to advise the congregation to “move up the ladder, not in terms of wealth or job status, but in terms of one’s connection to God.

“After all,” the rabbi explained, “life is about growth.”