Temple Beth El feeling blessed by presence of young rabbi-in-training for High Holidays

Leading and learning

Rabbi-in-training Jennifer Maggin leads the Tashlich ceremony at the Noren River Access on Monday. Maggin has spent the past four years studying to be a rabbi.
Rabbi-in-training Jennifer Maggin leads the Tashlich ceremony at the Noren River Access on Monday. Maggin has spent the past four years studying to be a rabbi.

A piece of bread was tossed into the Missouri River, and with it went the hope of turning from sin.

Nearly two dozen people gathered Monday at the Noren Access to observe Tashlich as part of the Jewish New Year.

They were led by rabbi-in-training Jennifer Maggin, a fourth-year student from the rabbinical school at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, Ohio.

"The themes of atonement and forgiveness, I think, are universal," said the young rabbi from New York. "This is our time for introspection. Most people need that in their life.

"We all carry burdens and need to release them."

The Jewish High Holidays - between Rosh Hashannah on Sunday and Yom Kippur on Oct. 12 - are the most sacred of the faith. In addition to contemplating the year behind and committing to a better year ahead, it is a time to be with family.

That means, for Maggin, she is apart from hers. But the members at Temple Beth El in Jefferson City have been welcoming, hosting her for meals and sharing their community with her, she said.

Throughout the rest of the year, the local Jewish congregation leads itself, without the benefit of a dedicated rabbi. And it works well, considering the congregation is near its all-time high membership since it was founded in 1882.

"I'm inspired by a small-town community that keeps Judaism alive," Maggin said.

Temple Beth El holds Shabbat Services each Friday evening and studies and other meetings regularly.

But the High Holidays are a more intense, serious reflection, Maggin said. For example, the Tashlich is a therapeutic, tangible moment to consider one's life.

Marianne Tettlebaum returned to the congregation where she grew up for this new year. 

She brought her husband, Dorian Stuber, and their daughter, Thalia, with her from Little Rock, Arkansas, to share this time with her parents, Harvey and Ann Tettlebaum, and brother Ben Tettlebaum.

"This whole day is special; it's out of the daily routine," she said. "We can focus on what's important."

Just as the young rabbi has come for 10 days to lead the local people in their observances, they in turn are "an integral part of my experience and training," she said.

"They're helping make me the rabbi I'm going to be."

Each year, the local congregation makes a request to the Union for Reform Judaism for a rabbinical student, congregation leader Gail Severance said. Nearly every member attends at least part of the week's observances, and new members are welcome.

"We're blessed to have her lead services; it does make our services more fun and lively," Severance said. "We can do it ourselves, but this is more meaningful and she gives delightful sermons.

"These are our most important holidays."

Maggin originally set out to be a teacher, earning a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Buffalo and master's degree in English education at Columbia University.

But as an adult attending synagogue, as she had as a child, she rediscovered her interest in the faith.

"I decided to take a more spiritual path; it's a good mix of everything I love," Maggin said.

She worked in Israel for two years as a volunteer and teacher, helped at summer camps, and served as a student rabbi in Indiana and Alaska.

"Every community is unique," Maggin said.

Yet the Jewish traditions, like these High Holidays or the common prayers and songs, provide a sense home in any congregation, she said.

"There's a bond through our Judaism, though we haven't met," she said.