Posted on May 7, 2021 by Rabbi Arnold S. Gluck
This Shabbat TBE officially says goodbye to Hannah Lafargue, who will be leaving us to pursue her dream of attending law school. In Hebrew when we part company from a friend we say “shalom u’l’hitraot.” “Peace to you, until we meet again.” This is a way of acknowledging that significant relationships don’t end upon separating to go different ways. We may be apart, physically, but we remain connected by bonds of caring and affection that distance does not sever.
During Hannah’s time with us at TBE she has forged these kinds of bonds with so many of us that we are sure to remain connected in the years ahead. Hannah has served as our Director of Youth Engagement for the last two years and has done so wonderfully. She has guided our youth work with warmth, spirit, strong Jewish values, and great personal caring for all those she has served. But Hannah’s mark has been felt in so many other aspects of the life of our community. She has made valuable contributions to the work of professional staff and strengthened our programming for all ages and interests, many of which were beyond the scope of her job. In this way, and in so many others, she wove herself into the fabric of our community, adding strength and quality to so much of what we do.
Hannah, you have touched our lives in so many meaningful ways, and we are grateful for the time we’ve shared together. May you find success and fulfilment in the next chapter of your life. We wish you peace and joy, until we meet again. Shalom u-l’hitraot!
A Message from Hannah:
Thank You for Welcoming Me with Open Arms!
As I reflect on my time at Temple Beth-El, it is near impossible to believe that it is soon coming to an end.
When Lisa approached me at Camp Harlam and asked me what I planned to do after graduating at college, I
certainly couldn’t have imagined what was in store for me. While it has been a bizarre two years, it has
managed to be an incredibly special time that I have grown and learned so much from. Getting to teach,
work with, and learn from kids and teens of all ages has been an honor and a pleasure. I can say with
confidence that TBE truly has some of the most thoughtful, warm, and open-hearted young people I’ve
ever had the joy to work with.
I have great appreciation for the whole Temple Beth-El community for welcoming me into my role and into
the community as a whole. I especially want to thank every single student that I’ve had the opportunity to
work with, but especially the sixth, eighth, and ninth graders. It has been so special to be your classroom
teacher. I also extend enormous thanks to the SMOOCHY teens. In the youth lounge and on Zoom, this group
has always amazed me with their creativity and enthusiasm. Thank you to the incredible lay leaders on the
Youth Culture Committee, Religious School Committee, and executive leadership who have been so incredibly supportive professionally and personally. The work you do for everyone at TBE is inspiring. Thank you to the
whole professional staff: Sarah, Amy, Rabbi Arnie, and Cantor Risa for being such wonderful supports and
partners. An extra special thank you to Lisa for being such a wonderful supervisor and mentor. I will miss
working so closely with you but am confident that we will talk at least almost as much long after my time at
Beth-El ends.
There are not words to express my gratitude to the entire community for welcoming me with such open arms.
I have been assured by many that wherever I may go, TBE will always be a community that I can call home.
I will miss everyone very much and look forward to visiting soon.
Please join us at 6:30 pm this evening as we say farewell to Hannah and celebrate the peace and joy of Shabbat!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Arnie Gluck
