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Saks stepping down after 18 years at Bet Mish
For the record: Rabbi Bob Saks is not gay (not that it's a big deal to him either way).
Nor was Saks looking to head a gay congregation, which he now does -making him a rarity in heterosexual rabbinic circles.
No, Saks' goal was simply to find a "good" congregation, full of welcoming, mature, committed Jews whose religious orientation was similar to his own.
His job search ended in 1991 when he became the first spiritual leader of Congregation Bet Mishpachah, Washington D.C.'s egalitarian synagogue. It is the only congregation in the Washington area that officially embraces gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews - and one of only a handful of such shuls nationwide.
Saks' 18-year tenure at Bet Mishpachah, or Bet Mish as it is fondly known, is coming to a close at the end of July, a benchmark that was commemorated on Sunday with a retirement luncheon attended by a capacity crowd of nearly 200, part of a weekend-long tribute.
"This has been a rabbinic experience mat I think many rabbis would envy," Saks said last week in an interview. "It's been stress-free and full of joy and meaning. I love the congregation; I really love it."
The feeling clearly is mutual. "He is just such a mensch; there's no other way to put it," said District resident Mindy Gasthalter, 48, a Bet Mish member since 1996. "He is such a nice, nice, caring, giving, gentle soul. It's been a sheer pleasure to have had him as our rabbi for 18 years."
However, the many accolades tìiat illuminate Saks' career speak to much more than simply his menschlichkeit. Congregants credit him with integrating Jewish values into virtually every aspect of shul life and of upgrading die level of Jewish scholarship at Bet Mish.
But his political accomplishments may have left an even more indelible imprint. Saks, 65, has played a major role in helping LGBT Jews gain acceptance in the larger Jewish community, according to several congregants.
"Things were very different in 1991," said Scott Mezistrano, 49, a District resident and a member of Bet Mishpachah since 1992. "Rabbi Saks definitely helped change attitudes by successfully fighting for our rights."
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