Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Beth El, Birmingham, Michigan; Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies, University of Detroit Mercy
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1996
Citation:
Through your lifelong dedication to public and personal service in the religious, academic and civic communities, you have been a messenger of faith, hope and peace to countless individuals. Your tireless commitment to religious service spans more than four decades, most notably as Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth El from 1953 to 1982, when you were named Rabbi Emeritus. Among many other activities, you have chaired the Board of Overseers of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, as well as the Committee on Soviet Jewry of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. You have served on the National Rabbinical Advisory Committee of the United Jewish Appeal as well as the American Jewish Committee, National Jewish Welfare Board and the Religious Education Association. You helped found and served as president of the National Association of Retired Reform Rabbis. Your compassionate concern for youth was recognized through dedication of the Richard and Renda Hertz Youth Center in Safed, Israel. You have worked energetically throughout your life to bring about understanding and cooperation between people of all faiths. You served President Eisenhower on a special mission for the White House to investigate the status of Jews behind the Iron Curtain, and you were the first American rabbi received in private audience by Pope Paul VI. You have also worked with Christian and Jewish leaders to study refugee problems and to explore alternatives of peace in the Middle East. Your message extends beyond the personal word through broadcast journalism, teaching and writing. For years you hosted the TV program "Open Doors," you frequently appear on radio and television programs and you are the author of numerous publications. Because of your many contributions to this University, a chair of Jewish Studies was established in your honor, which you have held as Distinguished Professor for more than 25 years. You have displayed exemplary leadership through membership on the boards of various civic and community organizations, including the Economic Club of Detroit, United Foundation, Michigan Cancer Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Michigan, Junior Achievement, Detroit Institute of Technology, Marygrove College, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Community Council and the U.S. Civil Rights Commission of Michigan, among others. In recognition of your extraordinary academic and civic achievements and for your leadership in promoting human dignity and religious understanding, the University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to confer upon you and Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree. Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, May 11, 1996.