To everything there is a season, says Rabbi Howard G. Kaplansky, and now the time has come for him to make the transition to rabbi emeritus at United Hebrew Congregation. 

“My favorite book in the Bible is Ecclesiastes,” says Kaplansky, 68, “and the third chapter has long served as my foundation, the basis of many of my sermons and my attitude toward life. As the Byrds sang, ‘Turn, turn, turn.'”

Looking ahead, he expects that the new “season” will bring new experiences. “This has been a way of life for a long time, but in the new stage, I hope to continue teaching, and also to concentrate more on spoiling my four granddaughters,” he says. Kaplansky and his wife, Susan, have two grown children and live in Chesterfield.

As of July 1, when Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg assumes the title of senior rabbi at United Hebrew, Kaplansky’s primary duty as rabbi emeritus will be to help with the transition. “I will be involved as appropriate,” he says, “to support and help Rabbi Rosenberg.”

Just the fourth senior rabbi at United Hebrew, Kaplansky has served the congregation for almost 30 years. United Hebrew is at 13788 Conway Road in Chesterfield, and serves some 1,300 families. It is the oldest Jewish Congregation west of the Mississippi, founded in 1837.

“I want to make it clear I am not the original rabbi,” says Kaplansky, laughing. He has the photos to prove that, hanging on the back wall of the auditorium. “In the picture with my first confirmation class, back in 1972, I am in the front row, with jet black hair and sideburns. I am 28 years old,” says Kaplansky.

“In the photo from 1973, just one year later, I have jet black hair, sideburns and I weigh 22 pounds more, because for the entire first year I ate at every bar mitzvah and wedding, sometimes at two events on the same day. Let’s just say that was a period of growth for me.”

Make no mistake – this man’s playful sense of humor has not kept him from carrying out meaningful work. “I draw a lot of satisfaction from helping establish a building fund, from establishing an endowment fund that helps ensure the future of the congregation and from being part of the revitalization of our worship through music,” says Kaplansky.

Paul Flotken, former president of the congregation, praises Kaplansky’s service. “From the day he came back to United Hebrew to become our future senior rabbi, Rabbi Kaplansky has led our congregation with great purpose and determination. He was unafraid to take bold steps to improve the congregation and he has made significant changes that have helped us thrive,” says Flotken.

“He is also a dear, dear friend. No – he is closer than a friend. I consider him a member of our family,” he continues. Flotken notes that he will participate in the three-part celebration honoring Kaplansky on June 17, 18 and 19. Events include a special Shabbat service and oneg, a dinner dance at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and a family musical event with Todd Herzog, followed by lunch. (For reservations, call Amy Stone at 314-469-0700 or see www.unitedhebrew.org)

Kaplansky is unaware of the details of the celebration. “There has been much hustling and bustling at the office, and I’ve been trying not to interfere,” he says. “I do know that our cantor is developing something special. Also, Rabbi Walter Jacob, past president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and a mentor to me, will be here to speak at the service on that Friday. He installed me here as senior rabbi, and it’s wonderful that he can come for this.”

After the special events and the parties, after embracing the new title, some aspects of Kaplansky’s life will remain the same. For instance, he teaches a class at Eden Theological Seminary on the impact of Judaism on Christianity. “I’ve been teaching there for 22 years, and I will continue that,” he says. “Also, I’ve been involved in a number of community organizations, and I will keep up with that.”

Kaplansky has served as president of the St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council, the St. Louis Rabbinical Association, and the Association of Reform Rabbis. He has sat on the boards of the St. Louis Jewish Federation, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, the St. Louis Jewish Light, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and combined Health Services of St. Louis. He was formerly vice-president of the St. Louis Interfaith Clergy Council and of Doorways, and Kaplansky is a member of the board for the Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis.

One relatively new project is Kaplansky’s work as the first chair of the Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations, founded “to bring together leaders from all faiths to help champion diversity and ensure people of all backgrounds live together in peace.” Kaplansky says, “As that organization grows, I want to be actively involved in the programming. I’ll also do some volunteer work, and I look forward to taking some courses in the community, most likely in history.”

Then, this: “Also, I did hear that Brad Pitt needs a stunt double.”

Ron Eichaker, longtime cantor at United Hebrew, might have seen that one coming. “If you have ever seen ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ and how he would interact with the cast, it is easy to draw a line between Bob Newhart’s comportment and Rabbi Kaplansky’s, uh…way about him,” says Eichaker.

“To work with him, study with him, grow with him is a lesson in tolerance without acquiescence, conviction without demonstrativeness and mediation with an emphasis on balance,” Eichaker continues. “Rabbi Kaplansky has walked gently on our landscape at United Hebrew, but with a purpose.”

Kaplansky grew up in Cleveland, a member of a Conservative congregation. As early as junior high school, he expressed a great interest in Judaism. “I was not observant,” he says, “but I was interested in Judaism as a way of life. That interest grew on and off through the years.” He received his B.A. degree from Ohio State University, and was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he received his M.A.H.L. and D.D. degrees.

Kaplansky first came to United Hebrew in 1971. He served as assistant rabbi through 1974 and then associate rabbi until 1975. He left to serve congregations in Springfield, Mass., and Pittsburgh, Penn. He came back to St. Louis in 1983 as the director of the Midwest Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Two years later, he returned to United Hebrew as the designated successor for Rabbi Jerome W. Grollman, who made the transition to rabbi emeritus in 1990 and died in 2008.

The challenges and some of the responsibilities that congregational rabbis face have changed somewhat over the years, Kaplansky says, particularly in terms of expectations. Specifically, he cites less time for learning and study in recent years.

“I especially have enjoyed the interaction with people, watching children grow to be adults and sharing life journeys with generations of families,” says Kaplansky. “I can’t imagine being more satisfied had I done something other than the rabbinate. I have many, many wonderful memories.”