Well friends, after several years of study, I have received smicha and am now Rabbi Patrick.

Pretty cool, huh?

I know you probably have a lot of questions, but before I get to answering them, I just want to say “thank you” for going on this awesome journey with me. Over the past few years, we have grown a lot together. It wasn’t that long ago that PunkTorah was just a video blog about the weekly Torah portion (and perhaps some tattoo related rants). Because of the hard work and dedication of amazing volunteers like you (along with your generous financial support), we grew into a community that reaches hundreds of thousands of people every year. Had it not been for your time and your donations, we would not be where we are today — and by extension, I would not be where I am today. So again, thank you for making the PunkTorah community possible, and thank you for giving me a community to be proud to belong to.

There will be more questions than these, and I hope you will submit them on Facebook and in the comment section so that I can address them directly. But here are just a few of the questions I have received since my ordination on June 27th.

Now that you’re a rabbi, are you leaving PunkTorah?

Heck no! Why would I do that? Especially after I just buttered you up with that long I-love-you rant! No, I am still going to be Executive Director of the PunkTorah/OneShul community.

However, in addition to everything we have going on at PunkTorah/OneShul, I do have a new website that focuses purely on my rabbinical work, with all donations and fees for services going to PunkTorah.

Can you do my wedding/bnai mitzvah/conversion?

Yes, yes and sorta.

If you need someone to officiate at your wedding or other lifecycle, I am your guy. Just email me. Of course, OneShul’s resident Kohenet Ketzirah also leads lifecycle events, and you can reach her here.

If you want to do a distance learning conversion, check out this page.

OK, anything else?

Lastly, I am going to step back a bit from writing at PunkTorah and leading services at OneShul to focus on building the school, as well as getting ready for the High Holidays services, which I know will feature myself, Rivka, Addi and Ketzirah. We’d love it if you lead services, taught a class, or just joined us. Email me to volunteer.

I have more questions, but I am too shy to post them on the internetz.

No problem, just shoot me an email. I’m a little backlogged right now, so please give me about 72 hours to get back with you.

Sincerely,

Patrick

PS: Yes, that was Patrick, not “Rabbi” Patrick. We’re friends…no need for titles.