Tucson-born James Botright is leading services at Temple Kol Hamidbar in Sierra Vista. A “military brat,” he traveled the nation with his parents, living largely in Texas, Arkansas and California. It was a very religious home, he says. But now his world is centered in Cochise County ... and leading its 35-40 Jewish families at the temple.

Rebelling against his faith during his 20s, suddenly one Sabbath in San Francisco, he remembered it was time to go to synagogue. Everything changed. Whatever disenchantment he encountered previously seemed to disappear, leading to his rabbinical role today, an ordained Orthodox rabbi whose training was partially in an Israeli Yeshiva.

“We are pleased to welcome Rabbi James Botright to Sierra Vista,” commented local synagogue president Jeff Hass in Houston this week. “After Rabbi James arrived to be the manager of the new Hampton Inn, he immediately got in touch with Temple Kol Hamidbar, and offered to become our rabbi,” said Hass. Because his service is a “good deed” on his part, since he is not remunerated, his role is honorary, but he is honored in his mission.

Speaking as a Christian neighbor, the Rev. Harl Pike, senior pastor of Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church welcomes the Jewish colleague. “I know a number of people in our local temple,” he says, “so I am glad Rabbi Botright is here. I look forward to having him join the clergy group Chaplain Doug Kinder and I have been working to reinvigorate.”

Albeit the new rabbi is Orthodox, he has no problem serving Reform and Conservative Jews, seeking to be a bridge within his faith, as well as building bridges outside of it. Despite differences, “Jews are Jews,” he said.

Botright recognizes the monotheism of Jews together with that of Christians and Muslims is already a bridge. He seeks to “heal wounds and give an easy access to faith,” by his rabbinical style. “Repairing the world” and treating “work ethically,” are guidelines. His goal is to seek oneness in community on whatever level it can be achieved, whether among the Jews of Ashkenazic, or Sephardic origin. He seeks oneness among other religious people as well. A first hope is to bridge the distance between Jews on Fort Huachuca and in the rest of the county. But that hope includes strong relationships with other faiths as well.

Sitting in the middle of the Hampton Inn lobby with his fedora resting atop his head, the rabbi managed his staff quietly while we talked. He was straddling his roles: dressed as a rabbi for Sabbath, and administrating as a manager should on a work day. “Try to find a happy medium,” he says is his role to carry out both his function as a faithful Jew and an attentive businessman. But the difference does not always sit well with others.

A congregant saw him at Staples recently and said, “You don’t look like a rabbi today.” And he didn’t. He was dressed for business. “I’m human,” he says openly. He points to his Bible, and admits he does not live inside it. “It will be impossible to make everyone happy,” he acknowledges with recognition in his eyes that it is the same for Christian pastors as for Jewish rabbis. Clergy, like their parishioners, are imperfect beings.

“I expect others to be strong for me, as they expect me to be strong for them,” is the rabbi’s intent. Yet, that human equation keeps interrupting the will to be kosher, to be orthodox.

In Sierra Vista, there are no kosher restaurants. Fry’s is closing out its kosher section, and other markets carry only a limited supply of kosher foods. And those items are often familiar, dust-covered ones that Jews won’t buy ... gefilte fish or borsch, for instance. Such traditional foods they’ll make at home if the kosher ingredients are available, but their preference is for real Jewish foods. By the way, he’s had enough Hebrew National hotdogs to last a long time! Sticking to a kosher diet in a non-kosher area can be difficult. Thus, when he can no longer go without filling food, this rabbi reluctantly departs from the kosher rule. He’s even eaten a cheeseburger. But usually, when he’s invited to go to the fast food restaurant, he orders a Coke. That is kosher, so there’s no compromise.

He opts for fish or a salad more often than he really likes. If the times for non-kashdruth foods is limited, it happens when the void between nibbling and real eating begins to harm the body. At the Hampton Inn, the laundry uses kosher soap, because that’s available, but there is no restaurant to serve his kosher needs.

Still, despite our county’s diversity throughout, anti-Semitism exists. In his short time here, the rabbi has already been called “a dirty Jew,” by a woman shopping in a big box store. Nevertheless, he seeks to build bridges across cultural divides as well as over unfounded hatred and unenlightened prejudice.

“One can make a difference,” insists the new rabbi. To him, to extend the hand of friendship is to make a difference. Furthermore, rather than resorting to legalities, Botright prefers to “do things because they need to be done.” That’s the reason for social programs and other activities provided by individuals and institutions.

“Rabbi James is residing here and helping us improve the quality and variety of services we can provide,” points out Hass and his vice president, Sam Caron.

But of all the gifts this rabbi brings to the Temple, a most unique one will surely sweeten the attitudes of most of his congregants. “In addition to being a rabbi,” acknowledges Hass, “he is a kosher pastry chef, and we have been enjoying his pastries after our Friday night service.”

As to the problems some see in Christmas trees, decorations including creches, and other symbols of the season being displayed publicly, he does not view them as offensive. It’s been suggested that a large Hanukkah symbol be erected in Veterans’ Memorial Park alongside the Santas there to balance the witness of the faiths. He dismisses the idea. And his reasons are sound, respectful and not at all patronizing.

On seeing Baby Jesus in a manger, Botright urges his unhappy congregants to think of Moses is his floating bed. Then he reminds them, “Jesus was a Jew!”  To him, taking offense widens the gap between people. Mutual respect, however, is a bridge for community.

Like worker priests, this rabbi earns his keep at a secular job. For eight years he has been involved in the hospitality industry. He has taught kosher cooking at Pima College and the University of Arkansas, and was the kosher supervisor for the University of Arizona, where he worked in the Greek System. Currently, he is general manager of the new three-story Hampton Inn, at the corner of Highway 92 and Snyder Blvd. at 4100 Snyder. Hampton is a Hilton company providing comfortable accommodations at moderate rates.

His role at the synagogue is to conduct the Friday evening service, as well as other services as needed. He will oversee conversions, perform weddings and conduct both bar and bas mitzvahs. He does not perform circumcisions, however. He leaves that role to others. His office hours are as requested.

“We extend an invitation to all Jewish people in Cochise County to attend Friday night services at 7:30 p.m. every Friday night” at the Temple, located at  228 N. Canyon Drive, echo Hass and Caron together. “They can participate in the services and also have an opportunity to meet the rabbi.” And, savor the pastries afterward.