More than an entire generation has known Brian Michelson as Rabbi. His dedication to the Berks County community shines through his work in and out of the congregation. The globetrotter, who previously served in Australia, shares how his passion for travel shaped his approach to his personal and professional life.
Q: Describe the impact being at Oheb Sholom for the last 26 years has had on you.
I now have the ability to watch students who I named as babies graduate college, and I’m doing weddings for students whose bar and bat mitzvahs I did. To be able to have that kind of relationship with people over time is very precious and special. I’ve also learned that some of the biggest differences that we make are not the moments that we think will. Sometimes it’s the small act or the comment that people remember the most.
Q: How do you fill your own cup outside of work?
My wife and I love to travel. We spent six years in Melbourne, Australia. My first rabbinic job was there. Both of our daughters were born there. It came time to get them closer to family. My family is in New York, and my wife Holly’s family is in Los Angeles. Moving to Berks County turned a 25-hour flight to see family to five hours at the most. We’re also foodies and are always on the lookout for new things to try. I also have a little 12-foot sailboat that I take on Blue Marsh when I can. I grew up sailing, and I love the quiet when I’m on the water.
Q: How has your love for traveling impacted your work?
The important part that comes out of traveling is curiosity and the desire to understand others. It is not that I must agree with them or give up my own beliefs. It’s not about convincing somebody else; it’s about learning from somebody else. I think that’s been true in terms of the congregation as well. We have people with different political beliefs, economic backgrounds and the like. I also do some police chaplaincy, and that work exposed me to things that I don’t think I would have ever seen, and it’s good to have a neutral third party who can ratchet down conflict.
Q: How has Judaism inspired your servant leadership?
Judaism teaches that we have an obligation to give back to the communities of which we’re a part. Tzedakah, which is a Jewish value, is the concept of giving time and treasure. It’s not just about making donations with money but also of time and effort. So, I’ve always tried to be involved in community organizations where I can. The congregation was always highly involved in the community, and we’ve continued to do that as well.
“Judaism teaches that we have an obligation to give back to the communities of which we’re a part.”
Q: When did interfaith dialogue become a passion of yours?
I’ve always practiced interfaith dialogue. I think it’s hugely important. We have visiting groups on a regular basis come to the synagogue, such as confirmation groups that are from various churches as well as the Common Heart Program. I think a lot of what we see in the way people think and respond today is dehumanization. We dehumanize each other. I think the opportunities when we come together, we realize we can agree on a lot more and that we can find a moment of holiness in somebody else’s sacred space.
Learn More
Community Responsibility. Oheb Sholom has been a polling place since Wyomissing Hills and Wyomissing merged. The congregation is hosting its annual food festival the Sunday before Election Day.
Advice from Brian for Election Season. “Make a positive assumption as a starting place as opposed to a negative assumption, and you will be a whole lot better off.”
