The following is an account of Temple Emanuel’s June 4 event celebrating Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh’s 10th anniversary with the congregation. This article was written and submitted by Dr. John Lewington, who served as the the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.
Temple Emanuel’s congregants’ celebration of Senior Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh’s 10th anniversary on Sunday, June 4, at Westwood CC was a recognition of a historic milestone.
After the requisite time schmoozing, the early evening was uplifted by Rabbi Howard Kaplansky, Rabbi Emeritus United Hebrew Congregation. He spoke of the joy of his long relationship with Rabbi Hersh. Meeting her as a young rabbi, he recognized the spiritual commitment, knowledge, communication skills, and love of rabbinical work needed to lead a synagogue. Rabbi Kaplansky had become her rabbinical mentor and welcomed her into his family during their over thirty-year relationship.
Next, Rabbi Hersh’s husband, Rob Kleinlehrer spoke of his daily observation of her commitment to Temple Emanuel’s congregation. His love and respect for her commitment to the full rabbinical role, and understanding of her congregants’ day-to-day health, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Bereavements are not planned and well-aware that his wife could leave at any moment.
Her son, Noah Kleinlehrer, had always understood that his mother was a special person, serving an important community role. Noah explained how she had challenged him with ‘the theories of existentialism.’ This had motivated him to present to local schools on the horrors of the Shoah and antisemitism. His plea to Missouri’s state legislature resulted in Holocaust studies being included in our state’s school curriculum requirements.
After dinner, Barbara Lewington, a long-time congregant and supportive friend, spoke about Rabbi Hersh’s complete devotion, always being present, willing and available to our sacred community. “Her soul rejoices with members in times of joy and embraces members in times of sadness.” As a teacher she gleans as much from her students, as we do from her. She comes to classes or gatherings always prepared but still able to speak unrehearsed words from her heart. She listens. Rabbi Hersh’s teaching skills have twice been recognized by the Union for Reform Judaism with the Belin Outreach Award. Her enthusiasm for sharing the bimah with guest speakers has exposed our congregants’ hearts and minds to interfaith philosophies and mitzvahs occurring in the St. Louis diaspora.
The immediate past president, Val Turner and his wife Harriet spoke next. Harriet shared her rabbi’s passion for marathon running, it clearly enhanced her energy to tackle her normal rabbinical diary. Rabbi Hersh’s commitment to pastoral care at times of personal stress – bereavement, illness, and family difficulties – needs physical stamina to cope with the emotional and spiritual demands. She shares this strength with members, renewing their spirits through dark times, and back to seeing the light in the beauty of their lives. Val Turner praised Rob Kleinlehrer for his involvement in the Temple’s community, “behind every great woman there’s a great man.” He praised Rob for welcoming new members to services and events, and providing the steadfast support that all rabbis need through challenging times.
Warren Davis, T.E.’s current president spoke of his deep admiration for Rabbi Hersh. Over the years, he had observed how Rabbi Hersh had embraced and enhanced the traditions and philosophy of Reform Judaism, established by Rabbi Joe Rosenbloom and our cantorial soloist the Reverend Malachi Owens Jr., both of blessed memory, that make Temple Emanuel unique. He related the female rabbinical leadership of Rabbi Hersh and Rabbi Educator Janine Schloss to his own grandchildren’s enthusiasm and enjoyment of Sunday school.
Rabbi Hersh was the last to speak. She spoke of her love for her chosen profession, commitment to her faith, and love for her family. The debt she owes to Rabbi Kaplansky for his personal and professional mentoring and friendship. Her teaching provides for an opportunity to interact with the Jewish community to share philosophies of our faith. Leading a community like Temple Emanuel had always been her goal in life. Her recognition that Rob and Noah had been her anchors through the many storms that face a congregational rabbi. Her thanks to the T.E. community for their support through the past ten years.
Past presidents, Lynn Phillips and Ken Cohen, asked T.E.’s past presidents to stand and be recognized. Creatively using the song Dayenu – appropriately the Passover Song that celebrates the miracles in our lives – they involved the congregation in a salute to Rabbi Hersh. This closed with a champagne toast to Rabbi Hersh.
An evening that displayed the love and spirit in the hearts of Temple Emanuel’s community ended with a rousing L’Chaim!
