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"One of the many talents that Rabbi brought to the congregation was his charisma..."

Marvin Burack

1. One of the many talents that Rabbi brought to the congregation was his charisma. Because of this charisma, he was able to move the congregation from Palmer Square to Touhy Avenue, with a spell in between where we conducted services and Sunday school in portable offices across the street, before they had built the JCC. This was a difficult time, and the Rabbi’s cheerleading really made it succeed. Many congregants stayed through the move and many new ones joined. Our congregation and its youth group became strong and well known throughout the area.

2. My late wife, Florence, and I were fortunate to have had the opportunity to take several driving trips with Rabbi and Tamar, to see the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario. Spending quality time like this was beyond priceless. Likewise priceless was the opportunity to observe Rabbi behind the wheel, up close and personal. For the Rabbi, the steering wheel is an extension of his psyche. Like a Friday night sermon, he might start slowly but would ultimately reach a crescendo. It was most fascinating to drive with him while debating Middle East politics or some other emotionally charged topics. The speedometer would accurately gauge how worked up he was becoming, until Tamar yelled at him to slow down, which worked for about 30 seconds and then the speedometer would go up again until we reached a more emotionally neutral topic.

3. My grandson Brian, who is now 21, was Bar Mitzvah in Philadelphia in 1999. At that time, the rabbi of the congregation there was struggling and on his way out. Brian was disappointed at not having a rabbi that knew him better and that would convey the strong spirituality he was feeling at this special moment. When he heard that Rabbi Weissberg was going to make the trip to be there with us, he was ecstatic. He would finally get to experience the "Tallis Tent" -- those few special moments after the Torah reading where Rabbi lifts his Tallis over you and whispers inspiring things like how the Cubs did that day. For me, it was just special to have him with us at this joyous and special moment and giving a little sermon on the Bima. As a friend of my son exclaimed to him afterwards: "Good move there, bringing your own closer!"