SOCCER FOOT BLESSING

With global interest in this summer’s World Cup, I want to spend a moment reflecting on my experience playing soccer. As a young boy, for six years I played in the local soccer league on Long Island. Was I any good? Let’s just say nobody confused me for a young David Beckham! Nothing I did on the field is particularly memorable. But, the evenings before the game— I remember them well.

Our soccer league held its games on Saturdays. Every Friday evening before a game I attended synagogue with my family. Following services, Rabbi Goldman pulled me aside. He asked about the next morning’s game, and jokingly inquired if I planned on scoring with my right or left foot. Playing along, I enthusiastically replied: “Rabbi, tomorrow it is going to be from the left!” Rabbi Goldman would then take hold of the designated foot, and offer my foot a light-hearted blessing. It was silly, but significant. It became our ritual, and sewed the seeds for a personal connection that would later blossom. While the blessing had no impact on how I played the game, considering my career-path, I think its long-term benefits are pretty clear!

Each of our children deserve that sort of connection with their rabbi – something special that connects them; a bond that makes Judaism warm and inviting. As your new rabbi, please know that for me, forging these bonds with our children is critical.

During the High Holidays, I will speak more about the opportunities we will have to meet and connect; not only the children deserve opportunities to form a relationship with their rabbi! But for now, with the memories of this past World Cup still fresh, I remember Rabbi Goldman and the weekly foot blessing— close to thirty years later, it continues to warm my soul, and inspire my work with our children.

As we prepare to enter our first High Holiday season together, allow me to offer a kavanah (a spiritual direction): Like the foot blessing, may the connections we make leave a lasting imprint on our hearts, in our souls, and on the direction we take in our lives.

Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei