“From the Central Conference of American Rabbis, we express condolences to the extended family of Rabbi Richard Hirsh for theirs, and our shared loss. We are grateful for his vision, focus and energetic leadership in the Reform movement worldwide, for his achievement in Israel and in shaping the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and for his dedication to tikkun olam which he helped to elevate as a foundation value of Reform Judaism. His wisdom, passion and dedication that were the hallmarks of Rabbi Hirsch life and his legacy were an inspiration to his colleagues and to so many Jews throughout the world. May his memory be a blessing for us all.”
Rabbi Lewis Kamrass | President, CCAR
Rabbi Hara Person | Chief Executive, CCAR
“Fifty eight years ago, in August 1963, I first met Dick and Bella in their backyard in Washington, DC – the night before the March on Washington. As always, Dick and Bella were a partnership, welcoming the UAHC delegates attending the March to a backyard barbecue at their home. That unforgettable evening soon after Dick and Bella moved to Washington with their young children to assume leadership of the Religious Action Center began our relationship. Throughout the years since, especially in this final Boca Raton stage of Dick’s wonderful life, I have been privileged to be closely associated with Dick and Bella.”
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Click here to read the full tribute.
Rabbi Mark L Winer MBE PhD DD
“I had the privilege of working with Rabbi Hirsch at the WUPJ in Jerusalem 1983-89 as his secretary and bureau manager during the exciting period of building Beit Shmuel, supporting fledgeling kibbutzim Yahel and Lotan, establishing the community of Har Halutz, establishing Reform pre-schools in Jerusalem, new congregations highlighted by Kol Haneshama in Jerusalem and Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv, reaching out to Jews in the FSU and encouraging leadership among them there and those who immigrated to Israel and the Reform movements inroads to Israel’s National Institutions. It was a most exciting time with an inspiring leader, Rabbi Hirsch. Long after leaving the WUPJ in 1989 I remained close with Dick and Bella, speaking with him regularly up until just 10 days before his death. Fondly remembering Rabbi Hirsch who will always be in my heart, missing him and remaining deeply committed to the nurturing of Progressive Pluralistic Judaism in Israel and especially in my home town of Jerusalem. May his Memory Be a Blessing and may his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion.”
Terry Cohen Hendin
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