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Originally from Detroit but having spent time in Chicago (among many other cities), Rabbi Gordon Fuller considered himself a “wandering Jew” up until finally settling down in Texas in 1990.
Today, he serves as rabbi of Congregation Agudath Jacob in Waco, where he teaches, counsels, makes pastoral visits and runs the religious school. The Jewish texts from which he teaches are his original inspiration for serving the community through a charity organization.
When first introduced to Caritas by former executive director Kenneth Moerbe, Rabbi Fuller says he became “hooked” and has been on the Board of Directors ever since.
Serving on the board since 2004, and now contributing as the new president, Rabbi Fuller has seen the ups and downs that this economic recession has fraught on the community. In effect, he says this is a “double whammy” for Caritas because the poor economy impinges upon the amount of donations coming in while increas- ing the number of people in need.
But Rabbi Fuller’s optimism for the future is steady; he hopes to “maintain, if not increase, what we are able to do for others in the current economic downturn.”
With this spirit of ambition, he also anticipates turning a new leaf by helping Caritas “build its modest endowment so that...100 percent of all donations can be used for direct service to others.”
Working hand-in-hand with a community of impoverished people can change your perspective and open your heart. Fuller speaks to this when he says that working at Caritas has helped him to gain “much more knowledge about and concern for those in need in our area.”
And of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has “loved working with different board members from diverse back- grounds over the years.”
Fuller, as a leader, a team member, and an integral part of this community outreach, particularly enjoys teaching and helping people.
And along with being a source of help for the community, Rabbi Fuller is thankful for those who serve the community through Caritas alongsidehim.
“We wouldn’t be able toserve as many people nor as efficiently without the contribution of their time,” he says.
Having begun his tenure in January, he has been able to participate in several events as the board president.
However, what he really wants is to humbly assist in the governance, fundraising, support and nurturance of the director, and of Caritas as a whole.
And in conjunction with the Caritas mission, he will continue enjoying his favorite part about being involved with Caritas: “being able to do some- thing to help those in need in my community.”
—Audrey Cary, a native of Henderson, TX, is a professional writing student at Baylor University and interned this semester at Seeds of Hope Publishers.
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