Rabbi Kealer

"I'm not there yet!"
 This page contains ***major spoilers*** for the series. If you're not caught up, stay back! Av's not gonna be too thrilled if you react to spoilers prematurely...

## Rabbi Kealer

### Status

Living

"*Welcome, again." [...] "Embrace your heritage with the most open of arms, and be loving to your community and what they give back to you. They're just as much as your family as your lovely parents. Create just like Yahweh, discover something new and share your knowledge with the world, just as Abraham did so long ago, and follow your* own *moral code, no one else's, just like Moses taught.*"
—Rabbi Kealer welcoming Winter, *Choosing Paths*

**Rabbi Kealer** is a minor character in *Winter's Tales*. He is the rabbi of the Harmony Hollow synagogue in Pineshadow.

## Appearance

Rabbi Kealer is mentioned to have a gray beard. He wears a long, black robe with many pockets and a hat with a velvet bow on it.

## History

### *Winter's Tales*

#### *Choosing Paths*

"*Welcome, my friends! It's been another week, and this evening, we meet again in the graces of our ancestors. I see from your smiles that your week has been pleasuring and brought you good joys. Remember what our dear friend the Talmud said: "The highest form of wisdom is kindness" - I trust we have been practicing that?*"
—Rabbi Kealer to the synagogue

After Winter and her family take their seats in synagogue, Rabbi Kealer emerges onstage and greets his crowd, mentioning that it is another week where they meet in the grace of their ancestors and seeing that joys have been brought to everyone. He reminds them of words from the Talmud - the highest form of wisdom is kindness - hoping they have been practicing that. Winter finds his voice strangely soothing, though she doesn't know what's going on, questioning her father, but he silences her and points her to the rabbi. Kealer says that they must remember that they are all equal and one family, united at Harmony Hollow and watched by Yahweh. He rests his gaze on Winter and reveals that they have a new member of their family, startling her. The rabbi calmly invites her onto the stage, and nervously, she makes her way up and greets him. Greeting her in turn, he introduces himself and gives her his hand, welcoming her to synagogue and her Jewish community. She shakes it, and Kealer encourages her to embrace her heritage, love her community, and to follow in the footsteps of Yahweh, Abraham, and Moses. She promises to listen to them, making him smile, and he gives her a custom copy of the Torah with her name written on it, telling her to join her parents so he can start his homily. He starts afterward, and Winter listens in.

#### *Transformations*

"*You're not wrong to feel the way you do. Keep in mind, much of the Torah was written* long *ago in the hands of different people. It's not as strict as it appears... but it's okay to not* follow *every teaching. You chase what your heart wants.*"
—Rabbi Kealer encouraging Winter to follow her heart

Winter attends Rabbi Kealer's homilies dutifully, though as he likes to draw his ideas out, she can't help but grow bored quite a few times. Her father urges her to stay awake and listen to the rabbi's important words. Later, Winter meets Abigail as she awaits Rabbi Kealer's homily, and just before he begins, Winter's mother comments that she likes Winter and Abigail's relationship. Edwin then re-directs Winter into sitting down, as the rabbi is about to start, and Kealer begins his homily shortly afterward. After Winter decides to seek counsel on being queer (under the guise of being a straight ally), she calls out to Rabbi Kealer to ask him some questions. He prompts her, and exempting that she's a lesbian, Winter expresses her views on LGBT+ subjects. The rabbi reassures her that she isn't wrong to think the way she does; the Torah was written long ago, and it is okay to not follow every teaching so long as she follows her heart. Winter questions if he likes queer people, which he confirms, mentioning that tradition banned homosexuality back in the day, but there's little to no homophobia in Judaism now. She mutters that she can't believe her ancestors hated that kind of love, and he replies that the ways of the old are not the form today, urging Winter to follow her heart instead of her ancestors, which she promises to do.

#### *Dawn Will Bring Us Death*

Winter remembers the days of her attending synagogue with Rabbi Kealer. At Lorelei's funeral, Rabbi Kealer wears dark robes and gives a long speech about her importance and cherishing her memories. Once he's finished, everyone flocks to his podium for eulogies, and he helps Lorelei's parents read theirs. When Winter prepares for her eulogy, she notes that she's reading to many people, Rabbi Kealer included, and he soon nods at her when she requests *Ghost Spores* as the tribute song for her mother.

#### *Snowblind*

Winter remembers her experience with Rabbi Kealer at synagogue. She also visualizes him for a second.

## Personality and Traits

Wise, patient, and soothing, Rabbi Kealer takes pride in his position as rabbi of Harmony Hollow. He has a fondness for new members and preaches his virtues, and is also open, honest, and forward-thinking. Rabbi Kealer also likes to draw out his ideas with much emphasis and supports all members of his synagogue wherever their heart leads them.

## Trivia

* Rabbi Kealer is voiced by Adrien Brody.