OCT. 22 ‘25 // Yankel’s behavior made a tough situation worse. The Rav was beginning to feel the strain, and contemplating early retirement, when a miracle occurred: he received an invitation to move to a new neighborhood, to accept the Rabbonus of a new shul. The salary was a nice improvement, the members were younger and more easygoing, and the conditions were more pleasant. The Rav would only need to give a drasha on Shabbos mevorchim, a shiur once a week on Hilchos Shabbos, and be available to pasken shailos for two hours every night. The shul was larger, more spacious, and there was a beautiful, roomy house that the Rav could move into with his family, rent free. Best of all, the neighborhood was an excellent one, not too far from his children’s schools, so he wouldn’t have to upset the kids. So far, so good. The more he investigated, the more Reb Gedaliah realized the job was a dream come true. One caveat, though: the current Rav was moving overseas within the month, and the search committee needed a response right away. Otherwise they would continue with their next candidate. When the Kleins received the offer, they took it very seriously. The Rav had been feeling burned out and unappreciated, and the Rebetzin found preparing the kiddush every week exhausting. She was juggling a part-time teaching job, several young children, and the needs of the mispalelim, who barely appreciated her hard work. Two weeks later, the Rav and his family accepted a Shabbos invitation to the new place, to deliver a ‘trial’ shiur and ‘feel out’ the situation. Amazingly, the nice things the young Rav and Rebetzin heard about the new kehillah appeared to be true. The members were younger and busier, with less time to make trouble, and the shul had a positive atmopshere. “I can’t wait to move here,” said the Rebetzin to her husband, at the end of a beautiful, uplifting Shabbos. His drasha had been well-attended, the compliments were enthusiastic, and the neighborhood was truly lovely. There had been lots of other young families, with company for their children. “How about you?” “Likewise,” said the Rav. On Motzoei Shabbos, Rabbi Klein was visited by the two members of the search committee who’d invited him. They reminded him that they were eagerly awaiting his response. “If you agree, we’d like to sign contract later in the week,” they said. “We want to have the new Rav settled in by the time our Rav moves away. The shul needs a strong, dynamic leader.” Rabbi Klein agreed, and promised to get back to them two days later. In the meantime he had 198
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