KI Tribute Journal 2019

Spring Celebration April 11 to 13, 2019 honoring Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. for 18 years of distinguished service

Allan Furman and family are honoring Rabbi Sussman for 18 years of guidance and wisdom. Looking forward to the next 18 years with him.

Reform Congregation Keneseth Isr ael honors Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. Visionary, Leader, Scholar & Friend on his 18th Anniversary at KI

4 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN 4 HONORARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE With thanks to these members who either served on the Pulpit Committee that recommended Rabbi Sussman or as Sponsors of his Installation Weekend in 2001. Their efforts were instrumental on this 18-year journey, and we appreciate all they did and continue to do. Myrna and Howard Asher E. Harris Baum Ellen and Bob Bildersee Joan N. Brantz and George M. Brantz, z”l Vickie and Jack Farber Miriam Finkel Joyce Fishbein and Benjamin Fishbein, z”l Robin Fine-Furman and Marc Furman Pat and Arnold Greenspon Jane and Leonard Korman Judy and Mickey Langsfeld Caryl and Mike Levin Eve Mennies and Bernard Mennies, z”l Norma and Arnold Meshkov Carey and Robert Roseman Lois and Stan Singer Karen and Robert Sirota Michael Winheld

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 5 CELEBRATION CHAIR Karen Sirota OPENING CELEBRATION DESSERT RECEPTION Norma Meshkov SHABBAT ONEG Sonnie Katz & The Oneg Team SILENT AUCTION Robin Fine-Furman SATURDAY PRE-SHOW RECEPTION Robin Fine-Furman Donna Bleznak Keller Denise Soloff SATURDAY ENTERTAINMENT Donna Bleznak Keller MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Ellen Warren, OutSource Communications MARKETING PARTNERS Jim Rosenthal, Paradigm Digital Color Graphics TRIBUTE JOURNAL Mark “Skip” Pitkow

6 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHY DISPLAYS Joan Myerson Shrager KI STAFF PARTNERS Naomi Godel, Brian Rissinger, Pam Saltzburg and Jaimie Shmelzer KI STAFF TEAM Carol Cooter, Anita Madnick Sarah Morrison and Helene Wagman CELEBRATION DECORATIONS Kelly Sussman CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Ellen Bildersee Sue Myerov Jody Brookman Diane Miller Anne Brown Murray Miller Sharon Buckingham David Pinsky Michael Chauveau Elaine Pitkow Phy Chauveau Sharon Rhodes Betty Cohen Carey Roseman Ann Klein Cohen Charlotte Schwartz Lenore Eisman Janice Schwartz-Donahue Sue Fried Ellen Segalow Marc Furman Lois Singer Kimberly Garcia Robert Sirota Dottie Klein Paulette Sterman-Soroko Evonne Kruger Liz Taylor Isaac Kruger Colette Tomeo Karen Langsfeld Tracy Zigler Cantor Amy Levy

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 7 Dear Rabbi (Calling you Dad doesn’t get your attention), It became clear early on that we would spend most of our lives sharing you with thousands of people. To them you are a scholar, a teacher, a confidant, and a friend. We hear them sing your praises and hold you in the highest esteem. While we have to share so much of you, there is a special side that only we get to see. To mention a few- • You are always tired and play with your phone at dinner. • You constantly forget to put your “ears” in and pretend you can’t hear us. • You snack in the middle of the night when you should be sleeping. • You can’t pronounce fajita or basement and have yet to get a drive thru order correct. With that said you’re our Dad and we wouldn’t want it any other way. As our Rabbi Dad you have Bar/Bat Mitzvah’d all of us and will do the same for your grandchildren. You’ve officiated two of our weddings to date and all of our friends request you for marriages, baby naming’s, bar mitzvahs, and funerals. Jewish or not. We sometimes wonder how you keep it all together when you’re in the real world; but we love you and are so proud to call you our father, grandfather, husband, and friend. ‫מזל טוב & ישר כוח‬ Love, Liz, Benji, Kelly, Sophie, Charlotte, Josh, Sheri, Micah, Judah, and Chana

8 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN Dear Friends, It is hard to believe that 18 years have gone by since I first arrived at KI. I don’t remember exactly when the “newness” faded and the “normal” set in. Whenever that was, KI has been my “new normal” for many years now. The ride to work, getting the lights on in the office, raising the blinds, making my morning coffee and continuing non-stop for 10 or 12 or more hours is my way of life. For me, the best part is that I rarely feel I am working at all. Rather, I am talking and meeting with people who are part of my life, helping them, comforting them, teaching them and sometimes just kibitzing with them. It’s all normal and natural for me. Add on top of that my earliest Bar and Bat Mitzvah students as well as early Confirmands are now calling to officiate at their weddings and their children’s baby namings, and my circle of life is complete. I am blessed that I am doing what I always wanted to do – lead a congregation, teach, write and advance Judaism into the next generation. I am so lucky on so many levels and then to take my “normal” and turn it into a celebration – that is a miracle. So, at the end of the day, what I want to say to you the most is “thank you.” Thank you for allowing me to make my rabbinic

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 9 aspirations a reality. Thank you for allowing me to share my passion for our Jewish tradition with you. Thank you for letting me teach and preach and share with you everything that is important to me. And, thank you, for translating your thanks into a meaningful celebration. In the end, we are not just celebrating my 18 years but our 18 years and 18 more years that our timeless tradition has flourished in your lives and the life of our community. Innumerable generations bequeathed their love of Judaism to us and now we joyfully celebrate our spiritual inheritance and model it for the rising generation! May we continue to go from strength to strength and from generation to generation. Todah to all who have worked on the Spring Week Celebration! Todah to all joining in the festivities. Todah to all who support and have supported KI now and in the past. Todah to the Source of all life and joy who has made it possible for us to be part of a meaningful and purposeful community. Sincerely, Rabbi Lance J. “The Chair” Sussman, Ph.D.

10 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN Dear Lance, Mazal Tov on your 18th Anniversary at KI! It has been 18 years of giving your heart to our community, and certainly, 18 years symbolizes the “life” you have given to our Cantor Amy E. Levy tradition within our walls. Whether it has been through sermons, forums, life cycles, counseling, pastoral visits and phone calls, teaching, and connecting, you have brought love to all you do. I have known you for 26 years, more than half of my life. Recently, I reminded you of that, and you responded; “I have known you always.” There will always be the blessing of our friendship, and that it is eternal. We will always be family. So many people love and respect you, and I have the honor of working with you every day as your clergy partner. We share in the joys and sorrows of our congregation and, in the process, we support and encourage each other. I consider myself very blessed to have the privilege of working alongside such a mensch and genius every day. You have planted the seeds for KI’s bright future, and I am grateful for all you are and for all you do! With love and deep appreciation, Cantor Amy E. Levy

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 11 ,‫ ֲע ֵשׂה לְָך ַרב‬,‫י ְהוֹ ֻשׁ ַע ֶבּן ְפּ ַר ְחי ָה אוֹ ֵמר‬ :‫ וֶ ֱהוֵי ָדן ֶאת ָכּל ָהאָ ָדם לְ ַכף ז ְכוּת‬,‫וּ ְקנֵה לְָך ָח ֵבר‬ Joshua ben Prachiyah said: Make for yourself a Teacher, Acquire for yourself a friend, and judge every person with merit. For the past 17 years it has been our family’s great honor to call Rabbi Lance J. Sussman a teacher and a friend. His earliest lessons to us were those of inclusivity and welcoming. His family welcomed us to KI, to their home, and to professional Jewish life. Lance has always been a friend, a mentor, a colleague, and a teacher. His first lessons were those on judgement – we try to say yes, he taught us. We always judge others by what they want to do and how they want to be involved and we try to find a way to bring everyone into our KI community. Over the past 17 years those first lessons defined our relaIonship. Now we work together, supporIng each other and our families, all seeking to draw closer to God, to help the Jewish people, and to strengthen the communiIes in which we serve. Thank you Lance for being a constant teacher and friend, mentor and coach. For being a visionary, for pushing us to become the professionals and leaders we are, and for celebraIng our successes. Today we celebrate you, your wisdom, your strength, and your forItude. The Rigler Family

12 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN Brian D. Rissinger Dear Rabbi Sussman, As a child in Sunday School, I learned to recognize the positive traits of Biblical characters and was taught to apply these traits as models for a fulfilling life. Since our first encounter in June 2006, it has been an easy task to relate your strengths to these Biblical qualities. Like Moses, you lead a large community and you have built a strong team whom you motivate and trust. Like Aaron, you are a gifted orator and qualified spokesperson for the community. Like Solomon, you are a talented writer, a scholar without peer and your wisdom is legendary. Like Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, you are tireless in your efforts to strengthen the Jewish community. These are but a few samples of the life lessons I have learned from you. It is a privilege to work beside you and to count you as a teacher and friend. May we celebrate this bond for many more years, Brian D. Rissinger Executive Director

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 13 Dear Rabbi Sussman, Mazal Tov on 18 years at Keneseth Israel! Eighteen years of sharing your wisdom, compassion, and time with the people of KI. When I talk to people around the larger Jaimie Shmelzer community and say I work at KI, they usually tell me how wonderful our Rabbi is, or what a great speaker he is. I of course agree. When you give a lecture here, people come out saying how brilliant you are. I respond by saying how lucky I am to work with you and that I get to hear your brilliance all the time. What not everyone realizes though, is that when discussing a topic you are very knowledgeable about, you always ask for thoughts and opinions from others. You want to hear what people think, hear other views, and learn more. When I first started working here, you told me that you want to make an effort to get to know more of the congregants. We are a pretty large congregation, but you make an effort to connect with people. Those who make an effort back, know that you are not only wise, you are humorous, compassionate, and thoughtful. These are the reasons I am most proud to call you my Rabbi. Warmly, Jaimie Shmelzer

14 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN Dear Lance, our Rabbi and beloved friend, The Mishnah Pirkei Avot: Teachings of the Sages, offers this counsel: “Select a Rav/ Master-Teacher for yourself; (by so doing, you will) acquire a colleague/Haver for study; when you assess people, tip the Hazzan David Tilman balance in their favor.”(Chapter 1, verse 6). It is clear to Ellen and me that we have found a colleague for study, a master-teacher, and a beloved friend, Rabbi Sussman! It has been eight years since I joined the staff of KI, and we feel so blessed to be members of this community. You have been our advisor, counselor, and companion for us, for the staff, and for the membership of KI! You value beautiful music from both traditional and contemporary composers, and my colleagues Cantor Levy and Andrew Senn, organist, are thankful for his unending support. You guide us in our work to elevate the worship experiences throughout the Jewish calendar year, and you encourage our efforts to bring Jewish musical expression to the entire Delaware Valley. We pray for many more years in good health as we serve KI to- gether with Rabbi Sussman, Liz, and the entire Sussman family! With gratitude to G-d and eternal friendship, Hazzan David and Ellen Tilman

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 15 For 172 years KI has been an engaged congregation with creative and dedicated rabbis. We remember with gratitude our rabbis for their outstanding service. We enter the Fineshriber lobby. We pray in the Korn sanctuary.We celebrate our simchas in the Evonne J. Kruger Krauskopf Ginsberg auditorium. Our social action and social justice activities are inspired by Rabbi David Einhorn. Many of us fondly remember the inspiring sermons of Rabbi Simeon Maslin. This year we are honoring Rabbi Lance J. Sussman in his chai year of service as our spiritual leader, teacher, historian, counselor, visionary and friend. For 18 years Rabbi Sussman has focused on the present KI while continuously placing KI in the context of the historic KI and articulating a vision of the future KI. Rabbi Sussman certainly has made us stronger together. In appreciation for his service, we are naming his rabbinic position the Lance J. Sussman Rabbinic Chair. May our future rabbis be honored and inspired to follow in the path of our rabbis and to serve KI in the Lance J. Sussman Rabbinic Chair. I want to express my deep appreciation to Karen Sirota and her incredible committee for planning this year’s exciting celebration. Thank you for helping us honor and celebrate our beloved rabbi, Evonne J. Kruger, President

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FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 17 Rabbi Rick Jacobs  President  April 11, 2019 6 Nissan 5779 Rabbi Lance Sussman Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel 8339 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027 Dear Lance, How delighted I am—both personally and on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism—to add my own mazel tov and yasher koach to the many others I know you are receiving as you are honored by the entire Keneseth Israel family for 18 years as the congregation’s rabbi. Having visited with you and the congregation in celebration of KI’s 170th anniversary, it is no surprise that the members of your synagogue family are celebrating their inspiring and gifted rabbi, teacher, and friend. I am pleased to join in praising you – my colleague and my friend – at this wonderful moment in time. Throughout the last 18 years and in all your endeavors, you have demonstrated unwavering passion for the richness and vibrancy of Jewish life. In the congregational realm, you have built and sustained holy communities in which God dwells and Torah is integral to the lives of members and their families, bringing innovative modes of worship and learning to the congregation through visual Tefillah initiatives and KI Puppets. Indeed, KI stands as a truly inspirational and vibrant house of study, worship, and house of assembly for all who enter its doors. I would be remiss to forget to mention your many accomplishments and leadership roles as a prominent scholar of American Jewish history, ranging from your professorships in various prestigious academic institutions (including our very own beloved Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion) to your leadership on the boards of the American Jewish Archives, the American Jewish Historical Society, Gratz College, and many others. Without a doubt, Reform Judaism is proud to count you – and your congregation – among our ranks and honored to claim you as our own. As KI’s leaders, members, and friends bestow much deserved praise, recognition, and affection upon you, I hope you take pride in your many meaningful accomplishments as a rabbi throughout the last 18 years at KI. As you and your congregational family continue your journey together, may the countenance of the Holy One of Blessing shine brightly upon all of you and may you find holiness and fulfillment in the Jewish living, learning, and celebrating you do together. Yasher koach. B’yedidut, Rick Jacobs

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FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 19 ! MAIN LINE REFORM TEMPLE BETH ELOHIM Lance, Mazel Tov on this milestone of celebra6ng 18 years as KI’s Senior Rabbi. I am blessed to have spent seven of those years as your rabbinic partner and I am lucky to be able to call you my friend and my mentor. When I told people that I was going to be working at KI as your Assistant Rabbi, I repeatedly heard our colleagues describe you as a mensch and a scholar. You first showed me and my family just how much of a mensch you are by not only aKending my ordina6on ceremony from HUC-JIR, but by then spending several hours with us aQerwards at the party. You went the extra 90 miles to welcome me to the KI community and in doing so, you brought us into your family. You helped shape me into the rabbi that I am today through our 6me working together. Your door was always open for me to come and ask you ques6ons, to talk about Bal6more, or just to take a few minutes to catch up. I learned how to be a congrega6onal thought-leader by watching your systema6c approach to understanding the complex challenges of synagogue life, engaging your team in coming up with innova6ve solu6ons, and standing by your side as we put them into prac6ce. I oQen say that I should have received a Ph.D. in American Jewish history through osmosis from the wealth of informa6on I learned listening to you teach and deliver sermons. You broadened my knowledge base about the Philadelphia Jewish community, Jewish art and food, the poli6cal impact of 350 years of Jewish life in America, and so much more. You were oQen quick to stop mid-conversa6on, go to your bookshelves and hand me a book you had read in order to guide me in a subject I was exploring. You passion for sharing your wisdom has had a profound impact at KI, in the Reform Movement, and throughout the world. Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned about being a rabbi from you is the importance of saying “yes” to members of the congrega6on. Now, this goes against all conven6onal rabbinic wisdom - for in doing so you are always adding extra things to your plate. However, by trea6ng each and every person with dignity and respect, listening to their ideas and their needs, you carefully and though^ully create ways to nurture Jewish lives and create las6ng connec6ons. This has greatly shaped my own leadership. Lance, you clearly are a mensch and a scholar, but more importantly, you are a friend to so many and a true rabbi’s rabbi. L’chaim, Rabbi Kevin Kleinman

20 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN Dear Lance: It is a pleasure for Judy and me to participate in honoring you on the completion of your eighteen years of devoted and exemplary service to our beloved Congregation Keneseth Israel. You came to the pulpit of KI at a difficult time, but through your wide-ranging intellect and admirable efforts, KI has maintained its leadership role in the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community. It is entirely fitting and proper that, in recognition of your dedicated years of service to Keneseth Israel, the pulpit of our historic congregation will now be known as the Lance J. Sussman Rabbinic Chair. We congratulate you and express the hope that you will occupy this Chair for many more years in good health and that in future years it may be occupied by colleagues worthy of KI’s historic rabbinate. Mazal Tov and all good wishes to you, to Liz and to the Sussman family. Sincerely, Rabbi Simeon J. Maslin Rabbi Simeon J. Maslin · 1420 Locust Street, Apt. 9-I · Philadelphia, PA 19102 Tel: 215-546-6664 · Email: [email protected]

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FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 23 March 14, 2019 acob ader arcus Rabbi Dr. Lance J. Sussman of the Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel 8339 Old York Road enter Elkins Park, PA 19027 rese e istor rvin merican ewis Dear Lance: I want to add my voice to the chorus of congregants, colleagues, and friends who are feting you on the eighteenth anniversary of your association with the historic Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel. You will undoubtedly recall that our teacher and mentor, Dr. Jacob Rader Marcus (), customarily drew a meaningful and fitting lesson from the art of Jewish numerology – “gematria” – whenever he paid tribute to an important milestone in life. How could I possibly do less on a milestone occasion such as this? The numeral 18 is the most famous numeral in all of Jewish numerology, because it is represented by the Hebrew letters  – letters that create the word “life” in the Holy Tongue. However, many people overlook the fact that the number 18 can be represented by yet another important Hebrew expression – a phrase found in the Book of Exodus (15:1):    , which in English is almost always translated as “he has triumphed gloriously.” Lance, your 18 year tenure at K.I. has unquestionably been a glorious triumph in the life of this historic congregation! You have earned universal respect and genuine affection from your community over these many years, and Jewish life in the City of Brotherly Love has been meaningfully enhanced by your scholarship and spiritual leadership. The sages of yore famously taught:       – “On the day that something wonderful happens to your friend -- rejoice with him” (Kohellet Rabbah 7). Stefi and I take great pleasure in saluting you and celebrating this happy time in life with you, Liz, your entire family, and the congregation. Please know how proud we are to call you our friend. May you be granted continuing strength of body and spirit so that you may be able lead and teach us for many more years to come.   With abiding friendship, I am . . . As always, GPZ/slb Dr. Gary P. Zola, Executive Director and the Edward M. Ackerman Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish Experience & Reform Jewish History at Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion

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FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 27 Dear Rabbi Sussman (aka Lance), On behalf of the entire Cheltenham Area Multi-Faith Council, I want to wish you a Mazel Tov and Yasher Koach for all that you have done for this entire community during your eighteen-year tenure as Senior Rabbi at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel. We certainly look forward to many more years of your involvement and inspiration in our community. Soon after you arrived here, you felt the need to begin Interfaith work as pressing, given the climate of the world at that post 9/11 moment in time. And here we sit, eighteen years later of LIVING (appropriately for your Chai year) and we are still in a situation in which terror and hatred are too present and understanding and caring are sorely needed. Lance, you provide so much of the latter and we are all grateful for the bridges you build and the walls you tear down. We feel blessed to have you in our community and know that all peoples of faith benefit from your presence here. We all pray that God will continue to bless the work you do and the thoughts and words you so articulately share as we continue to work together to make a kinder and more caring world as people of profound faith. It is truly our privilege and we feel blessed to call you our friend, our colleague and our teacher. Continue to go forth in strength and with conviction, dear friend. On behalf of the entire Cheltenham Area Multi-Faith Council and the many its programs and resources have touched, I thank you and have so much gratitude for all that you are and do. Sunnie Epstein President, Cheltenham Area Multi-Faith Council

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FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 31 Dear Lance, On behalf of the entire Rydal Park Community, I offer our deepest and most sincere gratitude for your engagement in the life of our community. For over 16 years, you have graciously provided worship leadership, wisdom, scholarship and humor at our Shabbat services, and have been a true blessing to all of us. You have done something very wonderful here, and we thank God for your presence among us. I value our relationship as friends and colleagues in our calling to serve our God. For me personally, it has been a joy to come to know you and to work with you, and I look forward to many more years of fruitful and joyful work in the Lord’s vineyard. Many blessings to you as you continue to serve as Senior Rabbi to Congregation Keneseth Israel. Sincerely, Tom

32 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN In the beginning... First dinner with the Rabbinic Search Committee Installing a mezuzah Rabbi Lance and Liz on the doorpost of the Sussman in front of Sussman’s new home their new home Installation Shabbat November 2001 The Sussman Family Rabbi Sussman’s first KI on Installation Shabbat Senior Leadership team Bernadette Peters was the featured entertainer on the Saturday evening of Installation weekend

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 33 Rabbi Lance Sussman: Talents in Photos Preacher Advocate Colleague Friend Builder Teacher Celebrator of happy moments! For All You are to Us Happy 18th Year!

34 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN All photographs above by Joan Myerson Shrager

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 35 All photographs above by Joan Myerson Shrager

36 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN KI Confirmation Class 5779 A sabbatical smile - ask him how much he actually rested! Liz and Lance Sussman’s Quite a team - long-time, respected Wedding Day (1977) colleagues and dear friends too! Beginning the shared journey of love, family and making a difference

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 37 Rabbi Sussman at his student pulpit at Beth Boruk Temple in Richmond, Indiana with Burton family, Robert, Kathleen, and the Bar Mitzvah, David Rabbi Sussman, Bernie Liebowitz, and Brian Rissinger dedicating the Evie Liebowitz Education Center Torah Turtle (aka Rabbi Sussman), the KI Puppets & their “stories from the zoo”

38 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN Mazal Tov on your 18th Anniversary at KI! Here’s to many, many more! We love you! The Levy Family Mazal Tov on your 18th Anniversary at KI! Love from your future Bat Mitzvah students! Aria Levy ’21 & Sophie Sussman ’22

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 39 rough the Years: Weddings & Vow Renewals Rhonda Chatzkel Rhonda McKitten Jess Goldenberg & Michael Mann & Aaron Krauss & Josh Becker Wedding 6-22-17 Wedding 8-20-17 Wedding 12-8-18 Jessica Balderston Gertz & Zachary Gertz Wedding 6-18-16 Joanna & David Sokol Wedding 7-3-16 Alexis & Steven Stone Wedding 4-12-15 Estelle & Stuart Price Noga & Benedict Mariano 50th Vow Renewal 10-21-12 Wedding 6-30-17

40 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN rough the Years: Weddings & Vow Renewals Rebecca & Michael Cohen Wedding 10-25-09 Emily & David Sirota Wedding 1-8-05 Joanna & Steven Sirota Kate & Jeffrey Sirota Wedding 10-22-11 Wedding 8-25-07

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 41 rough the Years: Weddings & Vow Renewals Laura Breckenridge Savage and Benjamin Savage Wedding 5-26-13 Carol & Alan Schwartz Charlotte & Joel Schwartz 50th Vow Renewal 6-10-18 50th Vow Renewal 6-9-13 Alaina & Sam Spiegel Wedding 9-13-16

42 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN On the Road Again Inaugural Senior Moments Event 11-11-15 Off to New York City to see Fiddler On The Roof First Stop, New York Harold’s Deli

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 43 Always Teaching With Rachel Strum and her 5th grade class Torah Turtle and his alter ego Preparing for his Jewish Pirates Talk

44 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN BIOGRAPHY As only the eighth Senior Rabbi in KI’s illustrious 172-year history, Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. assumed the KI pulpit in July 2001. Since then, he has had a transformative impact on the congregation and the greater Philadelphia region, as well as nationally and beyond, through his scholar- ship, leadership, and diverse community and educational activities. Rabbi Sussman is the Chair-Elect of the Board of Governors of Gratz College in Melrose Park, PA. Gratz College is the oldest non-denominational Jewish institute of higher learning in the world and is the home of the first online Ph.D. program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Rabbi Sussman is a past President of the Association for Progressive Judaism, a Reform think tank. As past national Chair of the CCAR Press, the publishing arm of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, he oversaw the production and launch of its new Mishkan prayer book series, now used in congregations throughout North America. He is a member of the Education Committee at the National Museum of American Jewish History where he has served as Docent Trainer and offers public lectures. Rabbi Sussman formerly served as a Trustee of both the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the American Jewish Historical Society. Heis an active member of the Academic Advisory and Editorial Board of the American Jewish Archives (Cincinnati and is the founding president of the Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council and the Delaware Valley Association of Reform Rabbis. Previously, Rabbi Sussman served as Chair of the Jewish Studies Department at Binghamton University-SUNY. He has taught courses in Jewish History at Princeton University, Hebrew Union College in New York City, Rutgers University, Temple University and Hunter College.

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 45 A prolific historian, Rabbi Sussman writes on a wide range of topics from the history of Art in Judaism to Jews and the American Civil War. He has pub- lished numerous books and articles, including Isaac Lesser and the Making of American Judaism, and Sharing Sacred Moments (a collection of his sermons); he also served as an editor of Reform Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook. Most recently, he published a memorial study of the 24 members of KI who fell in service to the United States from the Civil War to the present. His dynamic, illustrated lectures on a wide array of topics range from Biblical to American, military, and world history to Jews in arts, sports, film and more highly regarded and well attended. Rabbi Sussman also contributes a regular column to the Jerusalem Report, a bi-weekly magazine of opinion published in Israel by the Jerusalem Post, and has appeared in several PBS specials on Religion in America. Rabbi Sussman enjoys researching the history of KI, which was the fourth congregation to be established by the expanding Jewish community of Philadelphia when it was founded in March 1847. In 1855 the previously Or- thodox congregation adopted Reform Judaism, becoming the first progressive congregation in Philadelphia and only the fifth in the country to embrace the movement of radical experimentation. Rabbi Sussman regularly collaborates with KI Museum curator Rita Posen Poley on exhibits for the Temple Judea Museum at KI. He is currently leading an effort to create a digital KI Archives, the first of its kind, called kipah.org, with plans to post 100,000 historic documents online. He has also led numerous inter- national trips focusing on Jewish heritage in Israel, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Holland and Cuba.

46 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN As KI’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Sussman nurtures a diverse and accepting congregation that represents a broad constituency in its nearly 1,000-member families. KI welcomes interfaith and LGBTQ+ families and demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusiveness and social action in its many programs. Nationally, Rabbi Sussman has been involved nationally in promoting Jewish-Muslim dialogue; locally, KI has intensified its Social Action programs with monthly home-cooked meals for the food insecure and a tutorial program at the Lowell School in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood, among other community projects. Rabbi Sussman has also overseen an outreach program to Federation Housing residents, including an annual Hanukkah dinner, and for more than 15 years has led monthly Shabbat services at the Rydal Park retirement community in Jenkintown, PA. Among Rabbi Sussman’s many initiatives at KI was the development of the synagogue’s seven Core Values, which are proudly displayed on colorful banners for all to see at KI’s main entrance. Rabbi Sussman also created the KI Puppets, and enjoys teaching young children through his role as “Torah Turtle”—one of the puppets that appears regularly in KI’s preschool and at Tot Shabbat services. A pioneer in Visual Prayer, Rabbi Sussman led the initiative to create beautifully illustrated, projected art-liturgy at KI and then to install the complex technology to support the process. Under Rabbi Sussman’s leadership, KI has been at the leading-edge of the Reform move- ment while maintaining the core and essence of Jewish practice and values. Rabbi Sussman and his wife, Liz, have been married for 41 years and have five children and two grandchildren. Liz serves as the director of the Richard E. Rudolph, Jr. Preschool at KI, and is the music director of Shir Joy, the synagogue’s large and very successful children’s choir.

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 47 RABBI’S FAVORITES & SECRETS What are your 3 favorite countries you have visited? Israel, UK, Germany What are 3 hidden gems that are must-sees when visiting Israel? Caves at Western Wall, Cemetery of Pioneers (Deganya) Grotto, Rosh HaNikra What are 3 must-read books on your list? As a Driven Leaf by Milton Steinberg Basic Judaism by Milton Steinberg Night by Elie Wiesel What are your 3 favorite foods? Pastrami Reuben Omelet Pizza What are your favorite things to do with your free time? Read Movies Travel What would you do if you weren’t a rabbi? History Professor

448 HHOONNOORRIINNGG RRAABBBBII LLAANNCCEE JJ.. SSUUSSSSMMAANN Thank you for all these years of sharing with us your wit, wisdom, guidance, strength, compassion, and friendship. CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS MOMENTOUS MILESTONE. Diane, Jim, Madeline and Jane Rosenthal

FOR 18 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 49 Celebrating Rabbi Lance Sussman Our dear teacher and friend on his milestone 18th year We knew from the start that if you and Liz came to KI, it would be transformative for us all. And it all came to be…in ways beyond measure. Thank you for making KI a place of connections, learning and caring, and for personally enhancing all of our family’s milestone blessings! Karen and Robert Sirota and Family Make for yourself a mentor, acquire for yourself a friend…(forever) Pirkei Avot 1:6

50 HONORING RABBI LANCE J. SUSSMAN Rabbi Lance Sussman Studies Our Ancestors Gives Scholarly Guidance Shaping Our Heritage For Posterity With Great Appreciation & Admiration, Charlene, Nathaniel, Noah & Hannah Mayer