BiographyofRabbiVictorH.Weissberg Victor Howard Weissberg was born on June 26, 1927 in Highland Park, Michigan to Ruth and Isadore Weissberg, Polish and Russian Jewish immigrants. Victor was born into a middle-class family in which both parents worked: his mother, as a bookkeeper, and his father as an electrician and electrical contractor. The family soon relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, to join the rest of the extended family. As an only child and the first grandchild on his mother’s side, Victor enjoyed a close relationship with his parents, as well as with his maternal grandparents, and at one time even lived in the same apartment building. Growing up during the Depression had a great impact on Victor’s childhood and lasting effects on his personality. Victor had the opportunity to spend much time with his grandparents, as both of his parents worked to eke out a living during the difficult economic times of the Depression. Zayde and Bubbe Friedman exerted a strong influence during his childhood. They served as a religious force in his life, imbuing him with Jewish values and traditions through their cultural practices, rather than through strict, formalized ritual. For instance, although the family did not strictly observe the Sabbath, Friday nights and Sunday mornings were reserved for family, and all holidays were marked by family gatherings. Victor was religious in much the same way, involved in prayer and family observances, rather than being involved in the more structured synagogue life. The lifestyle of his grandparents emphasized charity and good deeds; the Friedmans were always welcoming strangers to the dinner table, or offering what money they could to the needy, serving as an example that Victor would emulate throughout his life. Victor came from a first generation, immigrant family with little formal education. However, reading was highly valued and academic achievement was a clearly understood expectation. Victor excelled both academically and athletically. Moreover, as a jovial, gregarious, well liked young man, Victor distinguished himself as a student leader, at one time even leading the students of the fourth grade in a successful strike demanding the right to play baseball on the playground during recess. Victor also enjoyed time spent playing with the other neighborhood children, even beginning a boy’s club called Delta Sigma Tau, also known as the Brotherhood of Betterment, which throughout junior high school served as a vehicle for organizing parties and dances, as well as raising money for various charitable causes. In addition to his family, Victor was very fortunate to have a mentor named Sidney Vincent, who helped guide him. Sidney Vincent was a teacher in Victor’s high school, his camp director at Camp Wise, and a prominent figure in the Jewish community. Through Mr. Vincent, Victor first became politically active, campaigning door-to-door for a Democratic candidate. This introduction to politics continued to develop and deepen, and today, Victor remains active in the political sphere as an ardent advocate of Israel. Beyond his studies and involvement in politics and other leisure activities, Victor continued to be active in Jewish life, attending services at an Orthodox synagogue, helping Jewish high school classmates arrange to observe two days of many holidays, and working on behalf of numerous Jewish cultural institutions. During World War Two, when many men were off fighting in the war, Victor took over teaching some of the younger grades in a Religious School, effectively finding his place within the Jewish community. At Camp Wise during the summer, Victor became more involved in Jewish activities, which fostered his later participation in another prominent organization, the Jewish Young Adults. Victor went on to become a camp counselor, a club leader, and then a member of Young Judea, a Zionist youth organization, whose activities gave him a sense of acting assertively to save the Jews, who at the time were so imperiled due to the policies and actions of the Nazi regime in Europe. Early on, Victor recognized the importance of fighting anti-Semitism, for, as he remarks, "We took it for granted that non-Jews had animus toward Jews." Later, Victor continued to look to Sidney Vincent for guidance and inspiration, as he was a devoted Jew with whom Victor eventually began studying and attending Park Synagogue, the leading Conservative congregation in Cleveland. Education Inspired by his mentor, Sidney Vincent, to aspire for admission to a prestigious university, Victor decided to take the admissions exam for the University of Chicago, turning down an offer of admission from Case Western Reserve because of their adherence to the quota system for Jews, and also declining a scholarship from Ohio State University. However, prior to enrolling in college, Victor enlisted in the Navy during World War II, serving in the armed guard in the Atlantic Theater. In the Navy, Victor continued his involvement in Judaism. He struggled to maintain Jewish dietary practices, sang in the Jewish Blue Jacket Choir, and met the Chaplain, Jacob Shenckman, the first Reform rabbi that Victor came to know well, having always attended Orthodox Hebrew Schools. Victor felt at home in the Choir, and enjoyed the warm, familiar atmosphere of being among landsmen, his fellow Jews. He also found himself deeply interested in the lessons and sermons of Rabbi Shenckman, and felt drawn to participation in religious services, although he had not yet considered entering the rabbinate. Upon discharge from the Navy, Victor attended the prestigious University of Chicago, graduating with a Ph. B. in 1948. After college graduation, in pursuit of his interest in civil rights law, Victor gained admission to the University of Chicago Law School. However, Victor’s love of Jewish observance, and his concern for the welfare of the Jewish people following the Shoah, or Holocaust, led to a vocational change, to follow his "calling" to the rabbinate. Victor’s passion for the fledgling Jewish state impelled him to decide to take advantage of a scholarship offered to him by the Cleveland Zionist Society and spend the year in Israel improving his Hebrew before entering Rabbinical School, a career path which had initially piqued his interest during his time in the Navy. The year spent at the Seminary in Israel confirmed Victor’s desire to continue his Hebrew studies, and so upon his return to the United States, he enrolled simultaneously at the Hebrew Union College, as well as at the University of Cincinnati's School of Education, from which he received a Masters in Education with a double concentration in administration and counseling. From Hebrew Union College, Victor received his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate of Hebrew Letters, as well as an honorary Doctor of Divinity, after twenty-five years in the rabbinate, and had the opportunity to study under such prominent teachers as Martin Buber, Gershom Scholem, Simcha Assaf, Nelson Glueck, Leo Baeck and HaRav Klemens, the former Chief Rabbi of Berlin and Moscow respectively. After receiving his doctorate, Victor attended a summer institute at the American Foundation of Psychiatry and Religion in New York, and then subsequently enrolled in the Alfred Adler Institute and then in the University of Health Sciences-Chicago Medical School, receiving certificates in psychotherapy and clinical psychology. Beyond his formal education, Victor’s life has been characterized by the lifelong pursuit of knowledge. He began studying at the Yeshiva Bachur in 1995, and continues his Hebrew studies to this day, focusing on the Talmud and kabbalah. To date, Victor has completed the books of Massechtor Shabbat, Yoma, Psachim, Gittin, Kedoshim and is currently studying Baba Metzia. FamilyLife On February 12, 1952, Victor Weissberg married Tamar Libovsky of Jerusalem, Israel, after a whirlwind six-week courtship. Tamar, a sabra, or native-born Israeli, was a daughter of Michael and Leah Libovsky, Russian Jews who, as passionate Zionists, came to Palestine at the beginning of the twentieth century during the Ottoman Turk period, to rebuild the land and to establish the State of Israel. Victor and Tamar returned to the United States so that Victor could pursue his dream of becoming a rabbi. They were blessed with three children, Amyra (Kenneth), Ariel (Hava) and Alona and eight grandchildren: Oren, Talia, Ilan, Orly, Danielle, Micah, Ronit and Esther, all of who continue to participate in and contribute to Jewish communal life. Victor’s marriage to Tamar has been a true partnership in terms of commitment to Jewish scholarship and service, while fostering a warm, cohesive, highly involved family. Victor and Tamar promoted a strong Zionist commitment in their synagogue; long before most Reform synagogues openly and actively supported the State of Israel, including leading tour groups beginning in 1961. Tamar also functioned as Victor’s study partner for his doctoral Talmudic studies, utilizing her knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic, his sounding board and "right-hand man" for synagogue and community programming, as well as his editor for High Holiday sermons. Moreover, Tamar served as the congregation’s Educational Director, working closely with Rabbi to promote and maintain consistently high standards of Jewish scholarship, including substantive Hebrew studies, while fostering a loving school and synagogue culture, with ready access to Rabbi and Tamar. Temple Beth-el, where Rabbi Weissberg has served for over fifty years, actually became an extended family for the Weissbergs, as Victor, an only child with family in Cleveland, and Tamar, with family in Israel, were largely alone in Chicago. Early in his rabbinate, Victor committed to remaining in Chicago for the sake of family stability. Unlike many rabbis, Victor Weissberg had the good fortune to serve in a single, embracing congregation, rather than having to uproot his family, moving from pulpit to pulpit. Rabbi Weissberg feels that with the support and work of Tamar, he has been successful in replicating the warm, familial environment in which he was raised, and is very happy that the entire family lives in close proximity to each other in the Northern suburbs of Chicago. Every Friday night, the family gathers for Shabbat dinner, as well as celebrating all major Jewish holidays together. Saba and Savta, Grandfather and Grandmother, have traveled extensively with their children and grandchildren, and continue to be vitally interested in and involved with their grandchildren, who are now young adults. Through the example of Victor and Tamar, family commitment, achievement and service have become the hallmark values of this extended family system. In addition to being devoted parents and grandparents, Rabbi and Tamar have enjoyed traveling throughout the world to sightsee and experience different cultures through their encounters with indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the Weissbergs enjoy attending the theatre, symphony and opera, collect the works of Jewish painters and sculptors, and are avid collector of rare ancient Jewish coins, specializing in coins of the Bar Kochba rebellion (132-135 C.E.) against the Roman Empire. Rabbinate Rabbi Weissberg began his rabbinical career as the Assistant Rabbi and Youth and Educational Director at Temple Isaiah Israel of Chicago from 1953-1954. From there, he became the Rabbi of Temple Beth-el of Chicago, the first synagogue to open its doors following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Rabbi Weissberg led the congregation for over fifty years, from 1954 until his retirement in 1995 and continues to serve as Rabbi Emeritus, teaching, conducting services and officiating at life cycle events. Rabbi Weissberg, a warm, caring, outgoing man, who often uses his sense of humor to convey a difficult message, has a gift for making people from all walks of life feel comfortable, as well as relating well to people across the age spectrum. Assisted by his wife, Tamar, the membership of the Temple grew from 150 families to over 800 at its peak during his tenure as rabbi. As the Temple Beth-el community grew, the temple building, which was originally located in Chicago in the Palmer Square neighborhood, relocated first to the West Rogers Park neighborhood, followed by a move to the northern suburb of Northbrook, where it remains today, having undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate the demands of its ever-growing membership. Rabbi Weissberg, recognizing the early signs of community demographic change, was the impetus for twice relocating the synagogue. His leadership and inspiration, in conjunction with the congregants’ loyalty and financial support, brought about the successful relocation of the synagogue. Over the past century, the focus of Jewish involvement in America has evolved significantly. When Rabbi Weissberg was growing up, American Jews were preoccupied with fighting Nazism both in Europe and in the United States, and then later dealt with the aftermath of the Holocaust and the great influx of immigrant Jews. Additionally, American Jews in the post-World War Two climate focused their efforts on supporting the newly created state of Israel. However, once the crisis of the Holocaust had passed, and once Israel’s existence was no longer a cause for immediate concern, following the Six Day War in 1967, Jewish life in America came to a crossroads, for as Rabbi Weissberg said, "Jewish life cannot exist only on crisis and cash; it has to exist on spirit and on a daily basis." Because of this shift, the synagogue has emerged as the central place where people come to experience Judaism, whether it is in celebration, commemoration, observance or learning. Moreover, the synagogue’s position as the center of Jewish life also means that other Jewish organizations turn to it for support. Thus, Rabbi Weissberg’s rabbinical career has been dedicated to creating a welcoming Jewish environment that would be accessible, meeting everyone’s needs and being integrated into everyday life. Rabbi Weissberg envisions the synagogue as "the shul that’s involved in political action and social justice. It’s the shul where people’s needs, regardless of their age group, are respected and where Torah is a major source of insight into confronting personal problems and maintaining high values." Rabbi Weissberg believes that the main value of Judaism is hope and encouragement. Thus, in partnership with his wife Tamar, he has actively worked to foster a joyous community environment within the congregation through such activities as Temple retreats at Camp Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, bringing gaily decorated baskets of fresh fruit offerings for Sukkot, lively Simchat Torah celebrations, accompanied by congregant klezmer musicians, youth and senior citizens groups, and extensive adult education. Moreover, Rabbi’s enthusiasm for all things Jewish has influenced congregants to become more active in their own religious observance and also within the Jewish community. Rabbi Weissberg regards the congregants as family, and is very proud to have educated, and mentored fifteen rabbis, the largest number of rabbis coming from any Midwestern congregation, in addition to inspiring many successful leaders who are currently active both in the Jewish and secular communities. Rabbi Weissberg’s traditional upbringing has directly influenced his religious observances as a Reform rabbi. Among Reform congregations, Temple Beth-el, under the leadership of Rabbi Weissberg, pioneered Selichot services, and also was one of the first Reform synagogues to hold services on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rabbi Weissberg’s level of observance has appealed to Jews who have been raised more religiously, while still welcoming interfaith families to the congregation. In keeping with his commitment to maximize Jewish observance and celebration, Rabbi Weissberg was a founder of the Hebrew Association of the Deaf, and initially provided rabbinical services to the hearing impaired, aided by a sign language interpreter, and also served as a chaplain to Jewish inmates at the Cook County Jail. In addition to bringing about changes in the ways that congregants engaged in Jewish observance, Rabbi Weissberg also fostered a temple community that was strongly supportive of Israel, particularly in the state’s nascent stages. As a Reform congregation, Temple Beth-el was the first to support the Bonds for Israel Program and the Jewish United Fund. Moreover, Rabbi Weissberg, an independent thinker who has always led by example, has been a community activist, speaking out against Anti-Semitism, including when the Nazis threatened to demonstrate in Skokie, Illinois, as well as promoting civil rights and interfaith relations. PoliticalInvolvement Rabbi Weissberg considers himself to be very patriotic, and believes strongly in the argument put forth by Alan Dershowitz, the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, who proposes that former Supreme Court Justice Frankfurter decided that he was an American before a Jew, and therefore was less of both. In accordance with Dershowitz’s argument, Rabbi Weissberg believes "if you are truly a Jew, you will be the very best American because you will represent the highest spiritual values of this country." In keeping with both his patriotic views and interest in worldwide Jewish affairs, Rabbi Weissberg is actively involved in politics, particularly with respect to the issue of Israeli-American relations. Throughout his life, Rabbi Weissberg has focused his efforts on maintaining support for Israel in Congress, and helping American Jews understand their role and their responsibility in building the bridge between America and Israel. Rabbi Weissberg, a strong advocate for Israel who serves as an active member of the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC), is also the founder and chairperson of the political action committee To Protect Our Heritage. Both of these organizations support Congressional and Senatorial candidates pledged to strengthening the alliance between the United States and Israel. Rabbi Weissberg’s prominence within the rabbinate, combined with his political activism, resulted in an invitation to offer the opening benediction at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Retirement Although Rabbi Weissberg officially stepped down from the pulpit of Temple Beth-el in 1995, he has remained extremely active throughout his retirement. He continues to perform many of his pastoral duties, including the counseling of congregants, visiting the sick, and ministering to the bereaved, as well as maintaining an active presence in many congregants’ lives, through the celebration of life cycle events. Beyond pursuing his own studies, Rabbi Weissberg also lectures throughout the community, has offered courses at Oakton Community College, and teaches adult education classes at Temple Beth-el and other local synagogues in such areas of Jewish studies as kabbalah, history, current events, Muslim and Christian interfaith relations, as well as political activism. © 2007 RabbiWeissberg.com | All Rights Reserved