Rabbi Elias Charry Memorial Shabbat & Farewell to Rabbi Bec Richman

HEALING THROUGH ART
36th Annual Rabbi Elias Charry Memorial Joint Shabbat Service and Farewell to Rabbi Bec Richman

Art is an inherently healing and liberatory practice. How do we find our way into the world of the arts? How can art, dance, movement, writing, and song support us through acute pain and the everyday challenges of life? How can healing be a generative, restorative, and even beautiful process? This year, Rabbi Bec Richman joins us as our scholar-in-residence during the Rabbi Elias Charry Memorial Shabbat as our Assistant Rabbi, our Beit Midrash Director, and an independent artist. Hear from Rabbi Bec about how her journey into the world of art has been a response to and a platform for ongoing healing in her own life and in the lives of those she encounters through her facilitation. Rabbi Bec will share some of the art she has created, some of the challenges she has pushed through, and her vision for what comes next, as she moves to Cleveland next summer to be closer to family and lean into her artistic rabbinate. Join us as we celebrate the power of art and come together as a community to learn from Rabbi Bec before she bids us farewell.

Rabbi Elias Charry Memorial Shabbat is made possible by the Julius and Ray Charlestein Foundation and an endowment established in memory of Fannie, Samuel, and Arthur Weiss. GJC extends thanks and gratitude to the Wolfe Family Foundation for their support in all GJC programming.

Rabbi Elias Charry

Rabbi Charry served as the Centre’s religious leader from 1942-1973. His commitment to social justice and to the well-being of West Mt. Airy, combined with his personal involvement with our members, earned him the love and respect of the congregation and the community. Committed to a progressive approach to Conservative Judaism, Rabbi Charry was an early champion of women’s rights, and he supported women’s full participation in prayer. Our congregation’s desire for diversity in prayer experiences was realized under Rabbi Charry’s leadership.  Continued Jewish learning was Rabbi Charry’s compelling interest.  He spearheaded innovations in Jewish education, working to create our Adult Education Institute and co-founding Akiba Hebrew Academy (now Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy).   Rabbi Charry was steadfast in his resolve that GJC remain in Mt. Airy.  He is credited as one of the leaders who helped maintain Mt. Airy as a vibrant, multi-cultural community and as a center of Jewish life.  Rabbi Elias Charry was a dedicated and inspiring teacher who believed that the study of Torah and its truth resulted in an augmented humanism, stronger identification with Judaism, and a dedication to the continued growth and existence of the State of Israel.

PLEASE NOTE: The online versus in-person schedule of services and events as well as the links to services and events are not posted on the GJC website. Rather, daily and weekly schedules with links are emailed to our member listserv. If you are not a GJC member but would like to receive these emails, please contact Program & Membership Director Kate Lawn at program@germantownjewishcentre.org to be added to our list.