I want to share with you some important news. Last week I was offered the position of Vice-President of Partnerships and Rabbi in Residence for a new national Jewish organization called Repair the World, which seeks to make service a defining element of American Jewish Life. After a tremendous amount of reflection and many conversations with my family and mentors I have decided to pursue this opportunity starting July 1st.
To be clear, I was not looking to leave Hillel UW/Jconnect Seattle. When Repair the World approached me with this opportunity and then added that I could stay in Seattle I felt compelled to explore it. As a new organization, it comes with significant risk, but taking risks and living true to our values is something I have tried to model.
After six years with Hillel UW/Jconnect Seattle and nine years in Hillel, it will be very hard to leave the organization I know so well and respect so much. Most of all I will miss the daily opportunity to share ideas and dreams, frustrations and friendship with you.
I am grateful to each of you for sharing your wisdom, kindness and stories with me over the past six years and am truly proud of the community we have built together. While I will not be involved in the daily life of this community, my position will be based in Seattle and I hope to be able to continue to support you, Hillel UW and Jconnect Seattle in every way possible.
I feel blessed to have been a part of your lives and the legacy we have created together.
B'Shalom (In Peace),
Rabbi Will Berkovitz
