Dear Friends:
This is the last “Rabbi’s Update” you will receive from me until the beginning of August, as I start four weeks of vacation at the end of Shabbat. Keleigh and I anticipate being in the area most of the time, and if a pastoral emergency arises, God forbid, if I am around I will make myself available to you. For that period of time when we plan to be away, Rabbi Emeritus Mark Raphael will be available to cover.
When I return from vacation I will be making some adjustments to my schedule. Since arriving at Kehilat Shalom ten years ago I have been taking Tuesday as my day off, primarily since that is what I did in my previous pulpit in Norwich, CT. But I have found that most rabbis take Monday off, and this has meant some difficulties in scheduling work meetings with other rabbis, missing local and national rabbis’ seminars, and so on. So as of next month I will be taking Monday off instead of Tuesday, except on the third Monday of the month which is when we have our Board meetings. On the weeks we have board meetings, I will work on Monday and take Tuesday off instead.
I’ll also be establishing “drop in hours” on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4. I am always available to meet with you by appointment, in my office at the shul or by phone or Zoom, but if you would like to drop in without an appointment, you can do so on Thursday afternoons. (Please note that there is always the possibility of an emergency or other schedule conflict, and I will try to avoid scheduling something during that period of time but can’t 100 percent guarantee it.)
As always, if I can do anything for you or you need to talk, please contact me at rabbi@kehilatshalom.org or 301-977-0768 rather than through the synagogue office. Although I am working primarily from home, I am happy to meet you at the synagogue by appointment. I have been spending more time in the synagogue recently but if you want to speak with me it’s best to make an appointment rather than assuming I will be there when you stop by.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Charles L. Arian
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