A Tale of 2 Cities

With CCAR convention in NOLA & the RA in Vegas, this week's theme is "Your rabbi is having more fun than you are."

Not quite fair to say that this tweet went viral, but within a really small segment of the Jewish world (even smaller segment of the world at large), this statement was shared by and amused more than a few people. And, it's true. Last week, The Rabbinical Assembly and Central Conference of American Rabbis each met in Las Vegas and New Orleans, respectively. Yes, the Conservative and Reform rabbis each had their annual conventions in the 2 US cities perhaps most known for debauchery.

Of course, there is more to a conference than the city where it was held. I was at one of them, and can attest to that. I've read reports from the other and it sounds like the 2 conventions were similar. Both movements discussed the goings on in Israel and the Middle East at large, considered technology and how it fits in to what we do, pondered how to move beyond what it is we do in order to reach those that we don't and began to envision the future of our movements. We learned, we prayed, we networked, we shared. We inspired and were inspired by our fellow colleagues. We socialized with old friends and found new connections. Our conventions are about all of these things and this was true once again, in both cases.

But I think there is something to be said...to be thought about...regarding the location of both conventions this year. Yes, there were the jokes. And yes, there were many comments about what we weren't doing (perhaps the rabbis doth protest too much?). I have to wonder about how honest those comments were. To what extent did we partake in that which the city we were visiting had to offer?

I admit here that I went to a strip club with a few colleagues. It was fun and instructive on a number of levels. But I also share that we looked both ways before we exited; and were very careful about who knew our whereabouts. I have to wonder how many others did the same....or went down their own paths of exploration. Both groups being in cities where anonymity is part of what happens naturally...where it's so easy to hide....here there are so many venues for behavior that might be perceived as "not what we do" (even if some of us know it's exactly what we love to do). There must have been more that went on...or at least temptation. I highly doubt that the 3 people I went to the strip club with were the only other colleagues that partook in all the city had to offer.

I have to believe that at my convention and at the other that the 4 of us were not the only ones that did something outside the perceived boundaries of what we are "supposed to" do. I know there are others who are kinky...who think outside the box about matters of sexuality. How many were aware enough of their needs to partake? How many felt the freedom to explore, even if just a little.

In some ways, those of us who are still in the closet, but have begun to peek out, owe both groups of conference planners a load of thanks. For giving us the opportunity to convene with like minded colleagues who allow us to explore--to put us in locales where such exploration is bound to happen. Perhaps that's not what the planners had considered as goals...but I think it's a good thing. It's all part of finding the right balance between all the aspects of our lives.

I, for one, am thankful that I had the chance to explore this locale...this aspect of my self...with colleagues that I know I'm lucky to have.