Portrait of an American Rabbi : In His Own Words

Rabbi Lance J Sussman

ISBN 10: 1669877914 / ISBN 13: 9781669877912

Published by Author Solutions Inc Jun 2023, 2023

About this Item

Neuware - In short, I believe, a little bit of religion is a good thing whether or not you fully embrace the idea of God. I believe that Judaism should accept this approach and help its adherents translate their deep, inherent religious needs with the symbols and practices of our ancient tradition. Judaism understands that not only does it have to adapt as part of its cultural dance, but it also has to choose and to create in order to complete its mission: to help modern Jews, the children of Spinoza, and the disciples of Einstein, to stay on course, to see the poetry written into the cosmos, and to help one another on the road to contentment with kindness, with concern and with love. Every once in a while, somebody comes to me and says: 'Rabbi, I'm so glad I'm Jewish.' 'Rabbi, I'm lucky. I have what I need. I have what I want.' And I smile and count my blessings, too.

Seller Inventory # 9781669877912

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Portrait of an American Rabbi : In His Own Words
• Publisher: Author Solutions Inc Jun 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1669877914
• ISBN 13: 9781669877912
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 235W x 157H x 40D millimeters 235 millimeters width by 157 millimeters height by 40 millimeters depth
• Weight: 1150 grams

About this title

Synopsis

It is important to bear in mind that Sussman has also been a true credit to the Reform rabbinate. He has taught thousands of congregants over the decades. He imparted his love for the Jewish people and its past from the pulpit, under the marriage canopy, and even at the funeral bier. These attainments must never be minimized or overlooked.

One of Isaac Mayer Wise's students memorialized a noteworthy incident that occurred during a class that Wise was teaching. Wise suddenly began to feel ill and decided to end the class early. As Wise began to step down from his teaching platform, a well-meaning rabbinical student jumped up from his seat, grabbed his teacher's arm and said, "May I help you down, Doctor?" The famous rabbi shifted his glance and said in a voice loud enough for the rest of the class to hear: "Never help a person down, my boy, a rabbi must always help people up!" This is how Rabbi Dr. Sussman has led in the various communities he served over the past four decades. He has been a learned rabbi who never lost sight of his obligation to help people up.

Rabbi Dr. Gary P. Zola
Executive Director Emeritus, American Jewish Archives
Ackerman Family Distinguished Professor, HUC-JIR

From "To The Readers," written for the AJA Festschrift in honor of Rabbi Dr. Lance J. Sussman, 2024