Members Bid Heartfelt Farewell to Rabbi Manewith

At Temple Micah, where sports and spirituality coexist, it's fitting to say that the team is losing a .300 hitter from its starting lineup with the departure of Rabbi Toby Manewith.

Rabbi Manewith, whose contract expires June 30, has served as associate rabbi since July 2005.

"Rabbi Manewith has made such a large impact on our community these past four years," says Rabbi Zemel. "She has taught adults and children alike. She has mentored bar and bat mitzvah students and worked with so many of us. We have celebrated weddings, births and other joys with her and she has helped us in our grief and in challenging times. I know that we all wish her well in the next step of her professional career."

On July 1, Rabbi Manewith starts her new job as rabbi of Congregation Bet Mishpachah in the District. She will replace Rabbi Robert Saks, who is retiring after 18 years there. Founded in 1975, Bet Mishpachah serves a predominantly gay-lesbian-bisexualtransgender community of about 200. Services and classes are held at the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center.

"The community prides itself on its active lay leadership, its welcoming nature and its strong commitment to social action and social justice," Rabbi Manewith said. "I couldn't be more thrilled to begin this journey with this wonderful community. I know there will be much to celebrate ahead."

At Temple Micah, Rabbi Manewith said, she learned how much she wanted to be a congregational rabbi. Previously, she worked for 10 years as a Hillel director and Jewish educator. "Without Temple Micah, I could never have known how much I love what I do," she said.

Among the many aspects of her job that she loved are the encouraging and caring congregants. "To me, there's nothing like watching the congregation watch someone become a bar or bat mitzvah--whether they know the kid or not. The congregation is so thrilled and lovely," she said.

In turn, the congregation was thrilled with her work with b'nai mitzvah students. "One of my fondest memories of Rabbi Manewith is listening to her talk, on several occasions, about individual bar and bat mitzvah kids she has worked with," said member Lisa S.

"She really appreciated what was unique or special about particular kids, and it was obvious that she found joy in working with them and their families," Lisa said. "Rabbi Manewith brought real warmth, humor, and humanity to her job as rabbi. She cared deeply about the Temple Micah community, and she truly cherished the people in it."

Congregant Marc L. agreed. "Her intelligence, good humor and empathy have enriched our temple significantly. I can tell you that her work with It's a Girl Thing (a program for adolescent and teenage girls) reaped enormous benefits for all who participated."

A testament to Rabbi Manewith's popularity was the May 29 Shabbat service in her honor. The sanctuary was packed in High- Holiday style as members of the staff and congregation celebrated her wit, wisdom and ability to connect to people with humorous and touching stories from her time at Micah. Participants in It's a Girl Thing raised their voices in a tear-jerking song. And, as usual, Rabbi Manewith gave a sermon that made listeners laugh--and think.

Manewith said that what makes the Temple Micah community so distinctive is that "everybody plays." Continuing on the sports metaphor theme, Manewith said that on some teams, "only the best people play. In congregational life, sometimes there's a group of 15 people who do everything." But at Micah, "there is a place for everyone in the congregation to have a real impact. The leadership and life of the congregation is really held by all of its members."

Other favorite things: participating in the Purim Schpiel (as a '50s thug, a member of the Beatles, Glenda the Good Witch and one of the Jackson Five), being involved with It's a Girl Thing and reading Torah with Cantor Meryl Weiner on Shabbat Shira.

"I am really going to miss Toby," Weiner said. "I know she'll still be in D.C., but I won't get to see her as often--or hear her comic take on life as regularly. But in spite of some distance, she's the kind of person who'll always find time for good friends. I count myself among them, and that makes me very happy."

Rabbi Manewith said she wants congregants to know how much they've enriched her life. "Often, when I see kids after they've become bar or bat mitzvah--whether they've physically grown an inch or not--they're somehow taller," she said. "Having been at Temple Micah, I feel like the congregation has pushed me, too, to get taller."

[By Carole Sugarman; from June 2009 Vine]