Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh - Thoughts
A New Beginning
On July 1, 2024, I began a new chapter in my life as a Rabbi. I grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana located in the heart of Louisiana - the exact center of the state. My family has a long history in this community. My great-grandfather, David Caplan came to Louisiana in the late 1880's. When he was in his late teens, he was sponsored by a businessman, Mr. Ginsburg, to come over to America to peddle dry goods for him. They were both originally from Bialystock, Poland. He sold goods from New Orleans to the Central Louisiana area and decided to stay opening his own Dry Goods Store on First Street in Alexandria in 1891. The store, Caplan's, still exists today, now as a uniform business. It was sold in 2023 to the Miguez family who kept the name.
Our Temple, Gemilith Chassodim (which means Deeds of Loving Kindness) was founed in 1859. My great-grandparents were members and my grandparents, my father and I all grew up at the Temple. I was Consecrated there, attended Sunday School there, was Confirmed there and was married there. It is my home Temple.
During my time at the Temple, we were lucky enough to have two Rabbis who each remained at the Temple for over 30 years - Rabbi Martin Hinchin (z"l) and Rabbi Arnold Task. When, Rabbi Task retired, I was an adult and I could see the writing on the wall. We were a small, Southern congregation that was not growing rapidly. There was (and still is) a shortage of Rabbis. I knew that our congregation would have trouble attracting and keeping another Rabbi for a long period of time. So, I explored the possibility of becoming a Rabbi myself. At the time, I was singing on pulpits throughout the world and at many of them, I was leading worship and life cycles events as a spiritual leader. It only made sense that I should work to receive semicha (ordination as a Rabbi).
In 2014, I was ordained Rabbi with the purpose of serving small, Southern congregations. It is a huge honor for me to serve the congregation that I call home. I look forward to growing the congregation and creating community; teaching both Jews and non-Jews; being there with people in their happiness and their sadness; and continuing to guide our congregation to be a light and a leader in the broader community.
I invite you to reach out to me if you have any questions. You are welcome to attend our Shabbat services any Friday night at 6 pm. I am glad to be home again.
copyright, Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, 2024
Photo by Charles Ward
(of blessed memory)
"My job as a Rabbi is to bring people closer to God...to be an extension of God...to be with people in their happiness and in their sadness."
