A beloved congregational rabbi, he served one congregation on Long Island for nearly 50 years, (before going on in his very active “retirement” to serve three of the largest synagogues in the world).

His Long Island synagogue grew during his tenure from 60 families to over 1,000. Officiating at life cycle ceremonies in four, sometimes five, generations of families, there were thousands of b’nai mitzvah, confirmands, people he counseled, married, buried, and taught in his classes (both adults and kids).

Hundreds came to his Friday evening Shabbat services, many to hear him preach. A wonderful preacher and a courageous social justice activist, a number of his most memorable topical sermons offering Jewish perspectives on the great events of the 20th Century were captured in the much-praised book Witness from the Pulpit. Out of the youth in his synagogue came numerous rabbis, Jewish educators, temple presidents and countless life-long committed Jews.

It was his model that taught me the uniqueness of the role of a congregational clergyperson. There is literally no occupation like it. Teachers interact intensely with students for a year or two. Doctors do so when people are ill and psychologists when they are troubled. But only congregational clergy interact with someone from birth to death, in good times and bad, fully engaging in the lives of those who choose to interact with them. What a magnificent calling!

On so many, he left a lasting imprint on their lives. I was one. His rabbinate remains the formative religious experience of my childhood; his model and menschlekeit (decency) inspire me still.