RABBI ARYEH HIRSCHFIELD

 

 

Community grieves death of Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield

By EMILY DAVIS

article created on: 2009-01-15T00:00:00

As news of 65-year-old Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield’s untimely death spread, it inspired an outpouring of grief from Jewish and interfaith communities.

The Portland rabbi died Jan. 6 in a snorkeling accident while vacationing with his family in Mexico.

“Aryeh’s passing will be a devastating blow to his congregation, P’nai Or, and to our Jewish community and the interfaith community,” said Rabbi Daniel Isaak of Congregation Neveh Shalom, which hosted the memorial service attended by more than 1,000 people on Jan. 12.

“Aryeh’s love for Judaism came most evidently through his music,” said Isaak. “Aryeh composed and he sang. He gave concerts here at Neveh Shalom and in many other venues. He participated in our Oregon Board of Rabbis and taught in the OBR Introduction to Judaism course.”

Rabbi Hirschfield was born March 19, 1943, and grew up in the Bronx, N.Y. In 1977, he began rabbinical studies with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, whom he regarded as a beloved mentor and from whom he received his rabbinical ordination in 1985. He moved to Portland with his family in 1996 to help grow P’nai Or, leaving Havurat Shir Hadash in Ashland, where he served as rabbi for more than 11 years.  

His widespread impact on the community reached beyond his role as a rabbi. In addition to his beloved musical performances, Hirschfield founded the Ashland Jewish Renewal community, Havurah Shir Hadash, and the Portland Jewish Renewal community P’nai Or.

Cassandra Sagan, former co-president of P’nai Or, knew the rabbi for 15 years and spoke of his well-known dedication to interfaith efforts.

“The thing about Aryeh is he was so inspiring, in the true meaning of the word,” she said. “He was absolutely committed to interfaith work in every kind of way, not just spiritual, not just social, not just political.”

In his own words Hirschfield wrote, “I also seek to create an experience of joy, aliveness and connectedness to Judaism and, ultimately, God willing, to the sacred beyond any label or denomination.”

“Whether you were Christian or Buddhist or Hindu, whatever your background, he was always ready to engage in a conversation,” said Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Executive Director David Leslie in the Oregonian’s Jan. 7 edition.

Hirschfield’s family was in Oaxaca to attend the wedding of the rabbi’s son Isaiah.

He is survived by his wife Beth and sons Isaiah, Jonathan, Aviel, Dov and Elisha.

Debra Kolodny, director of Aleph, a core of the Jewish Renewal movement, worked with Hirschfield in the Renewal movement.

“Reb Aryeh’s brilliant mind and open heart, his beautiful voice and gentle manner, his amazing teachings and his capacity for reaching out and growing community will all be remembered with awe and appreciation,” she said. “His memory is a blessing for the thousands of souls he touched and inspired.”

Reb Aryeh Legacy Fund or the Rabbinic Relief Fund:
We recognize that members of the many communities touched by Rabbi Hirschfield want to make donations in support of his spiritual legacy. These tax-deductible contributions should be mailed to:
P'nai Or of Portland, 9750 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR 97219-6531
Please make checks out to "P'nai Or of Portland" and specify on the check "Reb Aryeh Legacy Fund" or "Rabbinic Relief Fund."

Pina Palmera:
Donations may also be made to Pina Palmera, a non-governmental organization that Beth and Aryeh discovered in Mexico which they were touched by and wanted to support. Pina Palmera helps indigenous people with disabilities in the rural communities on the southern coast of Oaxaca. To learn more, visit www.pinapalmera.org

P'nai Or Tzedakah partners:
Abir's Garden Project: http://www.rebuildingalliance.org/campaignAbirsGarden.php
Southwest Community Health Center: http://www.swhealthcenter.org/home.html

May his memory be for a blessing.