Rabbi David Minkus
Rabbi Minkus is many things: he is a father and a husband, a rabbi, a creator of community, and a believer in the power of stories.
David (he insists on being called David) believes in, above all else, being sincere and genuine. The number one rule in his rabbinic manual is that no meaning can be found, sought, and delivered if we are insincere.
Upon coming to Congregation Rodfei Zedek, David knew he needed to elevate the voice of the individual member, that the pulpit must be used, by the rabbi, to signal that this space (the pulpit, the synagogue, Judaism) are owned equally by all who choose to engage with them. David inaugurated programs such as This American Shabbat to level the sermonic playing field (the physical space of authority in Judaism). In this program David studies the Torah portion with three members and then each participant crafts a d’var Torah (sermon) that comes to life through the lively discussions that happen around the texts of our lives, the Torah, and our lived experiences.
David sees his role not as a symbolic exemplar, not a scholar, but as a director, a catalyst in helping individuals find their voice in the tradition; the rabbi should not play the lead role. David strives to help individuals feel an unending bond to each other, and then form their connection to Tradition.
David does this through presence, through listening and knowing that we are all seeking more than we know and we all crave to be seen and cared for.
David has seen that when our basic needs are met, which only seem basic, only then can a community reach for meaning beyond belonging, beyond peoplehood. But when we transcend belonging and find meaningful connections to texts, traditions, ritual, to Goldberg sitting next to us, then we feel empowered to share our story and place that story along with the stories that we are accustomed to hearing.
David does not believe in good Jews or bad Jews. He believes in empathy, sharing food together, listening to each other, and giving voice to ideas that may or may not have been welcomed in the past.
David has been shaped by his parents, his rabbis and teachers. And, David is continually shaped by the voices of Yeshayahu Leibowitz, Ben Lerner, Zadie Smith, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, a steady schedule of rewatching The Last Dance, and so many more.