Over the past seventy-four years I have belonged to Reform congregations in thirteen different cities and had twelve different rabbis. Much has changed in the way of rituals and traditions, as is the way of our Reform Movement, and I’ve embraced most of the changes as improvements (although not all of the old-timers would agree). However, there is one change that bothers me deeply, and that is how individual congregants regard their rabbis.

As a child I saw how my parents respected our rabbis and cantors. I, too, looked up to my rabbi, and when my four children were growing up, I taught them to esteem our clergy as well. Now, it seems, we have entered a different world. Rabbis are no longer looked upon as k’lei kodesh, as holy vessels, as the very special people who lead and teach us. If we do not have a brit kodesh, a holy covenant, with our rabbi, how can we be a kehillat kedushah, a holy congregation?

Over the years I have often heard such expressions as “rabbis come and go,” or “he is just a hired hand.” With such attitudes it is no wonder that politics has become a dominant force in congregations just as it has in the corporate world. If a rabbi has to worry about who likes the way he/she dresses, or how the spouse participates, or how many days of vacation time will be allowed, it is that much harder for our spiritual leader to serve as exemplar and teacher—the very roles that help ensure a safe and secure Jewish future for us all. When detractors play dirty politics and spread rumors about the rabbi, when a disgruntled few are permitted to poison the atmosphere, the rabbi moves on, and the congregation soon gets a bad reputation which makes it difficult to find another good rabbi. Also, our communities lose members who become disgusted with the way the rabbi is treated and don’t know what they can do to stop it.

The disrespect accorded rabbis has wider consequences as well. Young people who are thinking about going into the rabbinate may have second thoughts about facing a future beset by congregational politics. This recently happened to a very bright young man I know who had planned for many years to become a rabbi and then decided his future held more promise elsewhere.

If we want to attract, keep, and support the best and brightest, individuals who care enough to devote their lives to serving the Jewish people, we must once again look upon them as k’lei kodesh. And in doing so, we bring sanctity to both our congregations and our lives.

Lucy Kline is affiliated with Temple Israel of Brevard County, Viera, Florida.