Rabbi Leonard Cahan 11510 Falls Road . Potomac . Maryland 20854 IN CELEBRATION OF YOUR SECOND BAR MITZVAH 12.13.47 | 11.25.17 Congregation Har Shalom P OTOMAC , M ARYLAND RABBINICAL ASSEMBLY l70J.:, 3080 Broadway New York, NY 10027 phone 212.280.6000 fax 212.749.9166 [email protected] www.rabbinicalassembly.org The International Association of Conservative/Masorti Rabbis, Rabbi Leonard Cahan established 190 I Congregation Har Shalom 11510 Falls Road Potomac, MD 20854 Officers: President To The Esteemed Members and Friends of Congregation Har Shalom, Rabbi Philip S. Scheim VicePresident The Rabbinical Assembly is honored to write this letter in tribute to our esteemed Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin colleague, Rabbi Leonard Cahan on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of his bar­ Treasurer mitzah. We are eternally grateful to Rabbi Cahan for his decades of service to his Rabbi Stewart L. Vogel colleagues, Har Shalom, the Jewish people and especially the Rabbinical Assembly. Financial Secretary For more than a decade Rabbi Cahan devoted himself selflessly to the publication of Rabbi Harold J. Kravitz both Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals for which he served as chair of the Secretmy Editorial Committee published in 1998 and Siddur Sim Shalomfor Weekdays published Rabbi Sheryl Katzman in 2002. These works began as a simple revision but burgeoned into an innovative liturgical work with a new translation, inspirational readings and the introduction of Professionals: the matriarchs in a siddur of the Conservative movement. These works made history st ChiefExecutive Officer in the annals of the American Jewish community as it transitioned into the 21 century. Rabbi Julie Schonfeld Senior VicePresident Rabbi Cahan' s service extended beyond these historical publications to the entire scope Rabbi Elliot Salo Schoenberg of the American rabbinate. For decades, he served as the RA' s representative to the Senior Consultant forRabbinic Jewish Welfare Board's (now known as the JCCA) Joint Commission on the and Institutional Leadership Chaplaincy which among other activities certified Conservative rabbis to serve in the Rabbi William H. Lebeau U.S. military. He was our ambassador to broader Jewish World. Director of Operations Rabbi Ashira Y. Konigsburg Rabbi Cahan served on many RA committees in his almost six decades in the rabbinate Consultantfor Special Projects including Membership and the Joint Placement Commission. He was president of the Rabbi Carol Levithan Washington-Baltimore region of the RA when women were firstadmitted in 1985 and stood on the floor of the convention in Miami Beach where he announced that a rabbi in his region was proposed for membership into the RA and the membership was Executive VicePresidents Emeriti spread around the room to count the votes. His advocacy for the equality of women in Rabbi Joel H. Meyers Rabbi Wolfe Kelman, ':,"t Jewish ritual practice dates to early in his career. It was well known from the 70s that the girls from Har Shalom were excellent daveners and Torah readers. Founding Editor Rabbi Jules E. Harlow We wish Rabbi Cahan, Liz and his family including his son, Joshua who is among our most learned colleagues many years of good health and joy. You presided over the b’nai mitzvah ceremonies of our daughters, Julie (Yoselle) Wolfson and Stefanie Yoselle-Vargas. Your wisdom, spiritual leadership, and theological knowledge has been an inspiration to our family. We want to say “Thank You” and express our appreciation for your rich contribution to the life of Har Shalom! Harriet and Michael Yoselle We are genuinely distressed that we will be unable to join you and your family this week- end. From day one you have been our rabbi and friend sharing so much. We love you and wish you love, strength and blessings in the future. Mazeltov!! Elaine, Stanford Steppa and the rest of the mispocha Our dear friends and teachers, travel compan- ions and confidantes Elizabeth and Leonard Cahan, Mazel Tov and best wishes always! Helene, Richard, Kimberly and Jason Meltzer The Comprehensive Leonard Cahan Factsheet Rabbi Leonard S. Cahan, born Philadelphia, PA. Married to Elizabeth. Four children: Jonathan, Benjamin, Sara, and Abraham Joshua It is with love and appreciation that we thank Rabbi Mazel tov on this memorable anniversary! From Education and Degrees: Cahan for all the wonderful years of his leader- Bar Mitzvah, to Rabbi, to Rabbi Emeritus, you first 1946-52 Akiba Hebrew Academy, Philadelphia, PS (Day & High School) ship. we have been lucky to celebrate with him 3 solidified yourself as a Jew, and then helped count- 1952-55 Gratz Hebrew Teachers College, Philadelphia Bat MItzvahs including Leah’s, 2 confirmations, 2 less others to do that for themselves. You have Teaching Certificate – 1954, BYL – 1955 weddings, a baby naming and even special get well touched, taught, and supported so many! Wishing 1952-56 University of Pennsylvania, B.A. 1956 wishes for Howard. Thank you, Rabbi. you every joy and happiness on your special day! Honors graduate in Experimental Psychology Howard and Leah Cohen Susie, Rick, Aaron, and Rachel Edelson 1956-61 Jewish Theological Seminary of America, New York Rabbinic Ordination – 1961 Rabbinic Experience: 1961-65 Chaplain, U.S. Navy, reserve Commander (Ret.) 1965-70 Associate Rabbi, Adas Shalom Synagogue, Detroit MI 1970-74 Rabbi, Temple Beth Abraham, Oakland, CA Our sincere appreciation to Rabbi Cahan and Eliza- One can never fully know, and appreciate someone 1974-Pres. Rabbi, Congregation Har Shalom, Potomac, MD beth for their religious guidance and friendship. He until one shares with them a common understand- officiated at our daughter Evelyn’s Bat Mitzvah, one ing, and labors with them for a common cause. Community Activities: of his first when he came here and then at our son We will have that link forever! Wishing you all the 1967-70 State of Michigan Regional Chaplain, Jewish War Veterans Jordan’s Bar Mitzvah. Also our Israel trip led by him joy and happiness you so deserve on this special 1968-70 Board Chairman, Fair Access to Integrated Residences, Inc. Detroit, MI was very memorable. anniversary of your Bar Mitzvah. Mazel tov! 1970-74 Officer, Hillel Academy of the East Bay, Oakland, CA Marilyn and Norman Cohen and Family Susie and Rick Edelson 1972-74 President, East Bay Council of Rabbis 1978-81 Jewish Chaplain, Potomac District, Boy Scouts of America 1978-80 Membership Chairman, Rabbinical Assembly 1977-81 President, Seven Locks Ministerial Association 1978 Promoted to Commander, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy Reserve 1980 Command Chaplain, Military Sealift Command, Washington DC 1984-86 President Washington Board of Rabbis Congratulations and best wishes Rabbi Cahan. We Mazel tov on this amazing anniversary! We feel hon- 1983-87 Board Member, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, MD very much miss studying Talmud with you and wish ored to have gotten to know you during my years at 1990-92 President, Washington – Baltimore Region, Rabbinical Assembly you mazel tov on this wonderful occasion Har Shalom. 1991-Pres. Member of Rabbinical Assembly Committee and Chairman of Siddur Sim Shalom revision subcommittee Howard and Nancy Cooper Shelley and Todd Engel Rabbi Cahan, you truly are a pillar and the heart of Mazel Tov on the 70th anniversary of your Bar the Har Shalom community. You’ve celebrated with Mitzvah. Thank you for your dedication and lead- Dear “Pop” -- You have been our family Rebbe Three generations of the Geiger/Ginsburg family us during our joyous times and lifted us during the ership from 1974-2001 and in helping to grow the send you warm Mazal Tovs on reaching this Bar difficult ones. Mazel tov on your second Bar Mitz- and close friend for 50 years, back to the 1960s congregation from fewer than 300 to what it was in Detroit (Hannah) and 1970 in Oakland, CA (Alan). Mitzvah milestone. We are lucky to have been thir- vah! Such a wonderful milestone and our warmest when you retired in 2001. ty-year beneficiaries of your wisdom and warm wishes on this very special occasion! When you moved to Har Shalom in 1974, Alan (1975) and then Hannah (1976) followed. You introduced John and Leslie C. Friedson Family spirit and look forward to sharing Bar Mitzvah 80. Helene Feldman us, performed our wedding, Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah, With fondest memories of countless shared Har Shalom moments… Siman Tov u’Mazal Tov, Paula Feldman Michael bris for both our sons, Pidyan Ha’Ben, and Bar Mitzvahs. You were with us for crises and times of Cheryl and Lew Geiger joy, up to Evan’s June graduation from nephrology fellowship. You asked our sons to call you “Pop.” Rachel, Craig and Lucy Ginsburg You encouraged us to grow as individuals, spouses, Adam, Deb, Ellie and Zoe Geiger parents, and grandparents. You introduced Alan to Thirty-five years ago we attended our first Torah study – a process that is now the Potomac Shabbat services at Har Shalom. We weren’t very Torah Study Center. You encouraged us to send knowledgable about Judaism and came to ser- It was a hot day, August 10, 1974, when our daughter our children to top Jewish schools. When David and vices only on the high holidays. However, through Suzanne Paige Freed was born. Two weeks later, Evan visited, you would ask what they were studying your teaching we learned what it means to be a we brought her to Har Shalom to be named. We in Gemorah and then quote from memory whatever Jew and how best for us to practice our faith. You were told that the new rabbi would be officiating. page they were studying. You co-officiated at their made us the Jews we are today. We thank for this “His name is Rabbi Cahan”, they said.