Every shliach understands the struggle of finding and meeting people in their neighborhood, but moving during Covid gave us an extra challenge to overcome. People were suspicious of strangers knocking on their doors, coming within their 6 feet of safe space, even if those strangers offered them freshly-baked challah. Nevertheless, one way or another, we managed to meet some Jews in the area.
I found out that the neighborhood hosted a block concert every Friday afternoon, so throughout the spring and summer, when Shabbos started late, I went to the concert to mingle and meet people. It was an excellent way of introducing myself in a very friendly, nonchalant way.
One Friday, I brought my daughter with me, and before I realized what was happening, she’d slipped up to the front and handed the drummer a challah.
“Rabbi!” I heard, coming from the speakers. “Come up here and bless this bread!”
To the appreciative cheering of the crowd, I made my way up to the central stoop and wished everyone a Shabbat Shalom.
“Why don’t you sing some Shabbat songs?” I suggested to the drummer.
He shrugged. “‘Cuz I don’t know any!”
“I can do it,” I volunteered. He raised an eyebrow, but silently handed me his drumsticks and stood up to give me his place. “A one, two, three, hit it!” I sang, and banged the sticks with abandon. “Shabbat Shalom, hey! Shabbat Shalom, hey! Shabbat, Shabbat, Shabbat, Shabbat Shalom!” the entire crowd sang with me and cheered every time I hit the drums.
“Give it up for the Rockin’ Rabbi!” the drummer announced with a flourish when the song was over.
It was an incredible experience, and for weeks after that, people came up to me in the street, calling me the “Rockin’ Rabbi,” and telling me how much they’d loved the performance.
