CBI Blogs

*Photo caption: Rabbi Folberg and me in August 2018 enjoying ice cream on a very hot day at the mikvah

For centuries, we have looked to the wise words of our sages to better understand our experiences during life. One of the best sources of wisdom comes from Pirkei Avot, the “Ethics of our Ancestors” (technically, Avot means “fathers,” but I decided on a more gender-neutral translation). You can find a plethora of beautiful quotes and sound advice throughout the pages of this ancient book. You can find snippets of brilliant conversations between brilliant rabbis. You can find inspiration for individuals and communities, Jewish and not.

The quotes within Pirkei Avot speak directly to me, most especially the following from Chapter 1 verse 6: “Appoint a teacher for yourself and acquire a friend; judge everyone favorably.” This often-used, beloved quote tends to be to mantra for most rabbis. We have an immense desire to teach others, but more importantly, become a friend to those we teach. We want to make people feel comfortable and content when they are within our building. And, we want to share our wisdom in a friendly setting, one that encourages learners to return time and time again.

All of us who have had the privilege of learning from Rabbi Folberg know that in addition to gaining an incredible education, we also gain a new friend. For the past 6 years, I have had the honor and privilege of learning from Rabbi Folberg nearly every single day. Yes, I have sat in a traditional classroom setting with him and gleaned knowledge. But, I also have the joy of being his next door neighbor, which means I can pepper him with random questions and inquiries all day long. And, being the mensch he is, Rabbi Folberg would stop whatever he was doing to answer these questions.

Sometimes we would go down ridiculous rabbit holes looking at bizarre and hilarious texts. Sometimes we would ask our friend Rabbi Google for the answer and nod our heads in appreciation for the quick response. Often, these questions would lead to intriguing conversations, those of which became fodder for Torah study or other classes.

But even more than Rabbi Folberg’s ability and capacity to teach me, I have appreciated his friendship. During my tenure at CBI, Rabbi Folberg has laughed at my silly jokes, shared his love of music with me, provided an abundance of information and historical context about this community, and gave comfort during difficult moments. We endured an entire pandemic together, navigating the challenges of going online completely and then back to in person. We weathered the storm of the arson, both the immediate aftermath and the seemingly never-ending trial. We have lived our lives during this entire time, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Through it all, Rabbi Folberg has remained steadfast in his non-judgmental manner, seeking to provide comfort and support whenever it was needed. I am honored to have worked alongside Rabbi Folberg and even more privileged to call him my friend. This weekend, we say L’hitraot, not goodbye, but “see you later.” Because when someone is a friend, it’s never really goodbye.

I hope you’ll join us at Shabbat services as we give ample hugs, shed a few tears, and send Rabbi Folberg off with lots of love and joy, the same love and joy he’s given to all of us. We’ve all acquired a teacher and a friend; how lucky are we?