A Letter from Lindy August 20

Beloved Pilgrims,
 
I greet you in absentia as I endeavor to live into my sabbatical month of August. This month is one of rest and renewal here in Durham with visits from my family. Our month of speakers is a wonderful mix of Pilgrim members and Pilgrim friends. I pray that the words from their mouths and the meditations from their hearts feed and nourish you along the way. After two Sundays with our fellow Pilgrims, August continues by welcoming our friend and neighbor, Rabbi Matthew Soffer, of Judea Reform Congregation. Please join with me in surrounding him with your love and prayers as he offers you his reflection, insight, and wisdom from his journey.
 
In case you don’t know Rabbi Matt well, let me take a moment to introduce this beloved person to you….
 

Matthew V. Soffer is the Senior Rabbi at Judea Reform Congregation in Durham, NC. Rabbi Soffer was ordained by HUC-JIR, where he earned an M.A. in Hebrew Literature and served as a Tisch Rabbinical Fellow. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors from Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in English Literature.
 
Prior to arriving at Judea Reform, he served as Senior Associate at Temple Israel of Boston. Trained in congregation-based community organizing, he now serves as a leader in the IAF affiliate DurhamCAN, the JStreet Rabbinic Council, and the Board of Jewish for Good in Durham.
 
Rabbi Soffer’s work also includes music composition, performance, and comedy. His liturgical pieces have been integrated in congregations throughout the Reform Movement, and his comedy group, “Three Rabbis Walk Into a Bar” has cultivated “sacred irreverence” in venues throughout the country.

His greatest pride and joy in life is his family, including his wife Nicole and three children, Caleb, Carmel, and Ronan. They live in Durham, NC, where he attends as many Durham Bulls games as possible. His secondary faith tradition is Philadelphia sports.
 
Please join me in extending our holy embrace to our friend!
 
with gratitude,

Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter

 
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