Leadership changes hands for Congregation Ohev Sholom

A tinge of sadness and hints of joy.

These were the expressions on the face of Rabbi Maklouf "Mac" Portal as he prepared to take a journey with his wife, Rachael, to Modi'in, Israel, on July 6, after serving for 14 years as rabbi at the Congregation Ohev Sholom at Cherry Street and Belmont Avenue.

"This community has been unbelievably kind, generous and just amazing," he said.

Replacing him are Rabbi Shaul Rappeport, 26, and his wife, Michal.

"It's his first pulpit," Portal said.

The new leaders begin their service on July 12.

"Let me give you an example of the kindness of this congregation," Portal said.

A congregant loaned a man who needed money $1,500 with a promise he would be repaid in three months.

When the deadline came, the man could not repay. Instead of harboring animosity, the congregant said, "forget about it," Portal said.

Portal and his wife may be retiring to the homeland, but they plan to return every so often.

"We want to visit friends and attend happy occasions and, God forbid, deaths," he said.

Portal eagerly invites those who have not traveled to Israel to get a passport, save money and go.

The town where the Portals will live is halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Attorney and Ohev Sholom congregant Cliff Rieders had the pleasure of attending a service held in honor of the couple and the Kiddush (sanctification service) which followed June 6.

"Those who are difficult to anger and quick to forgive are thought to be closest to the spirit of the divine," Rieders said. "Anyone who knows rabbi and Rachael Portal would note that characteristic; even on the rare occasions when one or the other would become angry for some justifiable reason, it was very short-lived indeed."

Generally, the rabbi would follow through with a pleasant greeting card or an extra handshake and hug the next time he saw the offending party. No one would ever call rabbi and Rachael people who were angry or held a grudge. They lived the command of Leviticus 18: you should not hold a grudge or bear malice - you shall love your neighbor as yourself, Rieders said.

The couple were considered major givers in their community.

"They have sacrificed their time, patience, warmth, love and, in fact, their lives," Rieders said. "The Portals have been there for the sick, the old, funerals, weddings, circumcisions ... and have been good friends to the community-at-large.

Portal said he appreciated living in a community that was not anti-Semitic.

"Of the six different communities we have lived, I enjoy this place the most," he said."

The Portals have provided food and necessities to the needy and have worked hard to live the kind of life demanded by the Torah and Bible, Rieders said.

"They have not only been friends, leaders, pastors, but also descisor (scholars), interpreters and judges," Rieders said.

"They have addressed the high moments in people's lives, the low times, the deaths, the births, and, yes, the disputes.

"They have counseled couples in need and in trouble and performed acts that none of us know about, have never been public, but nevertheless have touched the lives of every single congregant in a deep and meaningful way."

"We wish the Portals all the best that life can offer with a safe journey going up, aliyah, Eretz Yisrael - a long life and pleasure from their family."