Qualities of Leadership

Newsletter November 4th, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Among much required reading in rabbinical school, there is a book that is mandatory reading for rabbinical students (at least it was in my day) called, Rabbi As Symbolic Exemplar by Jack H. Bloom. The book aims at preparing those who would go into the rabbinate for the societal expectations placed upon rabbis. There is a fishbowl type experience where everything one does as a rabbi is examined carefully. Of course, as Jews, we don’t believe that rabbi is an intermediary between people and God. Yet, there is still a type of expectation that people have that we are somehow above human fallibility. And that produces a lot of pressure. In describing that pressure, the description of the book notes, “the struggle to live up to its requirements can be one of loneliness, frustration, and despair, alienating rabbis who tire of living in a glass house.”

Not only were we required to read this work as rabbinical students, but our significant others were strongly encouraged to read it, too. Why? Because it would affect their lives and that of any children we might produce. You know those comments people might utter intended to inflict shame like, “She’s the rabbis wife!?!” Or “He’s the rabbi’s child?!?!” We, rabbis, and our families, should go into this life expecting this dynamic.

This is why the Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This,” was so compelling. Because it showed insight into a human being who came face to face with the expectations of being a symbolic exemplar. Who decides who is fit for the rabbinate? What standards are to be carefully guarded? What standards represent antiquated and outdated modes of measurement? Should rabbis isolate themselves from the surrounding world? Or be one of the people, just extremely thoughtful and text-based people? Rabbi Noah’s struggle with these ideas provided many comedic moments in the series. I can’t wait for season 2 to see how he determines what an authentic expression of the rabbinate is for him.

And then, this weekend, I saw the movie called Conclave starring Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, and Stephen Tucci about the process of choosing a new pope. In the Catholic religious tradition, the human being is really understood as an intermediary between people and God. And the entire film showed a struggle for power among people even as they were trying to influence who would be chosen as the next representative of God on earth. Without giving away any spoilers, I’ll just say that various candidates were shown to be fallible human beings, too. The question is, what standard do we expect the pope to meet? This was the central question of the film.

Both of these cinematic masterpieces grappled with questions of leadership and power in their own ways. And for me, they resonated deeply. Not just because I am a member of the clergy. But I think that these performances resonated because society is grappling with the idea of leadership right now. At least the United States is having elections this week (Tomorrow! PLEASE VOTE!). And, we are thinking about what kinds of mistakes a person can make that are forgivable and what kinds of mistakes a leader can make that are deal breakers. We are thinking about the fundamental qualities of human character that are required to become president. Many of us have voted. But if you have not, please do so by considering carefully, what human qualities are needed to hold the highest office in the land.

Voting is how we’re keeping it sacred…

Together we’re keeping it sacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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