Anyway, I was very excited to learn that Shawn Green had recently been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact my friend Laura Portney and I spent a lot of time discussing this development (Laura is the most passionate Dodger fan that I know). We were remarking how nice it was that Green, an All-Star right fielder, formerly a Toronto Blue Jay, wanted to move to a city that had a sizable Jewish population. Well, L.A. certainly fit that criteria, and before you say National League West, Green was out here in the Southland.

I mentioned to Laura that the synagogue staff had sent Green a letter, in care of the Dodgers, welcoming him to our Los Angeles community, and inviting him to join our congregation at services, and that he should feel welcome at Kehillat Ma'arav any time. Apparently, however, this was not an original idea, because I read a piece recently in the LA Times, which mentioned that Green's agent had received dozens of similar letters.

This same article concluded with Green stating, "Right now I'm not going to join a synagogue...I think how often you go to synagogue and all that doesn't show how Jewish you are. I think it's more what's in your heart..."

Uh oh. Images of World Series rings and Stars of David confetti suddenly evaporated. If Green wants to be a positive role model for young Jewish athletes, and older Jewish athletes as well, then synagogue membership is the way to go. Jewish study is the way to go. Commitment to Jewish values, not simply being Jewish by a coincidence at birth is the way to go.

My colleague, Rabbi Gotlieb, has stated this repeatedly, that if you are passionate about a particular societal activity, be it medicine, fine art, gourmet food, or whatever, then you must support the institutions that provide avenues to express these activities, namely medical schools, art museums, culinary institutions.

If Shawn Green wants to succeed as a true Jewish role model, then I have several suggestions for him. Simply missing a ballgame to attend services during the High Holidays is lovely, (let's hope the Dodgers make it far enough this season that the decision is not simply theoretical but actual!) but it is really on a small gesture. Instead I'd like to see Green let his fans, particularly his young fans who are still below age 18, know that they must continue their Jewish education in synagogue or community Jewish schools. That would be incredible, if not a miraculous event. If Green actually cared about the future of the Jewish community, he must understand that to be a good Jew means to be an educated Jew, and Jewish education takes place in Jewish schools and synagogues. If Green wants to be a good role model, then he should let the community know that membership in a synagogue is vital.

According to recent statistics, only 20% or so of Jews in the LA area are members of a synagogue. Green's membership in a synagogue could open the floodgates for Jews looking for a hero to emulate. Imagine the impact on our synagogues around the city. More members means more programs, more activities, more everything. Our community could be revitalized.