Portrait of an American Rabbi: In His Own Words

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