Overview

Rabbi Bernie Lipnick was a dynamic educator, passionate Zionist, tireless civil rights activist, and compassionate spiritual guide. His mission-to make Judaism relevant to Jews in multicultural America-was reflected in his daily life and his wise and practical sermons. His timeless teachings touched thousands and continues to do so today. This book is a tribute to an eminent and inspiring spiritual leader. Rabbi Bernie Lipnick was a dynamic educator, passionate Zionist, and tireless civil rights activist. His mission-to make Judaism relevant to Jews in multicultural America-was reflected in his daily life and his wise and practical sermons. His timeless teachings reached hundreds. As a young man, in 1949, while a rabbinic student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Bernie Lipnick resolved to help build the new state of Israel with his own hands. And so he did. He left his studies and traveled to Eretz Yisroel. As a mature man, in the early 1990s, in retirement, he resolved to build a home on a mountain in Idyllwild, California...with his own hands. And so he did. During the 40 and more years in between Israel and Idlewild, as a rabbi and a teacher, he resolved to build a congregation of committed Jews and to reimagine Jewish education. And so he did...with all his strength and all his heart. The 28 sermons in this book are a window into the monumental events of the second half of the 20th century as experienced and witnessed by Rabbi Bernard Lipnick.

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9781734529203

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Reviews

Get ready to laugh a little, to cry sometimes, and to be moved to become a better human being as you read this book and meet one of the great rabbis of our time. Rabbi Lipnick took on all the issues that were on the minds and hearts of his people on Shabbat mornings, and then he practiced what he had preached by what he did on the other six days of the week. --Rabbi Jack Riemer, Author of Finding God in Unexpected Places and The Day I Met Father Isaac at the Supermarket A must read! The teachings of Rabbi Bernard Lipnick, one of the greatest rabbinic orators and educators of the twentieth century, will inspire lay leaders, clergy and staff who take up his calls for social justice, transformational change, and deep Jewish learning. Read this book with your synagogue leadership and learn how to shape a relational congregation. --Dr. Ron Wolfson, Fingerhut Professor of Education, American Jewish University, author, Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community Whether you are a preacher or parishioner, rabbi or congregant, this volume of sermons will not only give you an insight into the artistry and the artist but will illuminate your life with timeless wisdom. Rabbi Bernard Lipnick was an artist and I was blessed because he was my Rabbi. --Rabbi Irwin Kula, President of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (CLAL), author of Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life and a co-editor of The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: CLAL's Guide to Everyday & Holiday Rituals and Blessings Rabbi Bernard Lipnick defined my Jewish life in St. Louis during my childhood and adulthood. He was certainly the archetypal rabbi. He was a master at listening--always focused, never distracted. Even as a child I recognized that his sermons were astonishing, in that they felt spontaneous, although we know now that they were not. He had carefully thought them out. --Howard Schwartz, Editor of Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism

Author Information

Bernie, as his family and friends called him, was born in Baltimore on April 29, 1926, to Thomas and Augusta Gussie Lipnick. His family was learned and devoted to Judaism and had a kosher, observant home. Bernie had a brother, Jerome, who was eight years older and a strong role model. He remembers a happy childhood. Bernie was an excellent student in secular and Judaic studies. He graduated in January 1944, 2nd in his high school graduating class of over 1000 students and started Johns Hopkins University. He had many great teachers but most noteworthy was William Foxwell Albright, the foremost archeologist of his generation. He finished Johns Hopkins in three years, with a major in Semitic Studies, and started Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in 1947. In his second year Bernie tried to organize some of his fellow JTS students to go to Israel and join in the battle for its existence. The Chancellor made him an offer; finish the second year and go to Israel for your third year and study at Hebrew University and then return for your fourth year, take the comprehensive exams and be ordained. Bernie accepted and spent the academic year 1949-50 in Israel. In 1951 Bernie was ordained and from then on was known as Rabbi Bernard Lipnick His first position was with Congregation B'nai Amoona in St. Louis. He was engaged as Education Director. He remained with that congregation until he retired in 1991, moving to assistant Rabbi and then in 1962, senior rabbi. During his long career at B'nai Amoona he emphasized new approaches to informal Jewish education and earned a Doctorate in Education from Washington University in St. Louis. He participated in the Civil Rights struggle, including the March on Washington and the march from Selma to Montgomery. He was married twice. His first marriage ended in divorce. His second marriage, to Harriett Sofer, lasted 36 years, until his passing in 2010. In retirement, he and Harriet built a home in Idyllwild, California and traveled to over 100 countries on numerous cruise lines in his capacity a Jewish Chaplain.

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