TEMPLE CONCORD’S TRIBUTE TO
RABBI DANIEL FELLMAN FOR TWELVE AMAZING YEARS: 2009–2021
MELISSA, ZACH, JAKE, LIZZIE, & LOKSHEN – WE WILL MISS YOU
Ou r Historic Congregation
On September 1, 1839, a group of German Jews founded Society of Concord in the back room of Bernheim and Block’s wholesale notion store where most of these peddlers bought their merchandise. They soon moved to more hospitable quarters on the second floor of one of the member’s offices.
By 1841, they were able to hire their first Rabbi: Abraham Guzenhauser. Under his ministry, the Congregation incorporated itself and acquired a cemetery.
By 1851, the small Congregation was prospering, and they built their first permanent structure on the corner of Harrison and Mulberry Streets in Syracuse. Hailed by the newspapers as an ornament to the section of the city in which it was situated, it was erected at a cost of $100,000. But the new building housed a growing disagreement among the members of the Congregation on matters of ritual observance.
Torn between those who wished to continue with Orthodox traditions and those who wanted to move towards Reform practice, the congregation splintered in 1861. The majority of congregants, including the President, succeeded in adopting the Reform innovations of organ music, choir singing, English translations of Hebrew prayers and family pews for men and women. A series of specific changes touched off the explosive break between the two factions. Temple President Joseph Falker decreed that men must remove their hats during worship services and claimed this was a way of getting rid of the Orthodox members, who walked out of Society of Concord in a body. The synagogue they founded, Adath Jeshurun (not the current Temple Adath Yeshurun), eventually reunited with Temple Society of Concord in 1925, but the bitterness over the schism lasted many years and, in some instances, tore families apart. By 1883, Temple Society of Concord hired an Austrian, Rabbi Adolph Guttman, who was to lead the Congregation for the next 36 years. Rabbi Guttman’s Reform philosophy is best summed up in his motto, “Creed and Deed.” He once said, “In our religion we are Jews, but in every other respect we are part and parcel of this great country, which we love with heart and mind. Its flag is our flag, its victories our victories, its defeats our defeats.”
The congregation continued to prosper, and in 1911, dedicated the present Temple, built at a cost of $100,000. In 1919, Rabbi Benjamin Friedman became the congregation’s first rabbi to be born in America. He served for a term that was to last for 50years bringing both change and permanence to the Temple. He brought reforms in worship and tradition, eliminated the assigned pew system and installed the first women on the Board of Trustees.
Over the years, aided by the generosity of its congregants, the Temple gradually increased its facilities and space, adding the Religious School wing in 1961. When Rabbi Friedman retired in 1969, he was succeeded by Rabbi Theodore Levy, who led the Congregation until 1990, when Rabbi Sheldon Ezring assumed the pulpit. Under Rabbi Ezring’s spiritual leadership, the congregation continued to grow and move forward into the 21st Century. In July, 2009, Rabbi Ezring retired and is now Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman became just the fifth rabbi to serve in the past 127 years. Now known as Temple Concord, and the ninth-oldest Jewish congregation in the United States, our historic past is our greatest asset as the congregation looks forward to a vibrant future. Based on research by Natalie Kalette and Ezra Greenhouse’s “Society of Concord: 1839-1979, a Triumph of Dedication and Faith,” printed in the 140th Anniversary booklet and available in the Temple’s historical exhibit, and B.G. Rudolph’s “From a Minyan to a Community: A Historyof the Jews in Syracuse” (Syracuse University Press,1970), available in the Temple library.
Temple Concord 910 Madison Street Syracuse, NY 13210 (315) 475-9952 office@templeconcord.org
April 25, 2010
Installation of Rabbi Daniel Fellman – Temple Concord’s fifth Rabbi “I am humbled and honored to be serving as the Rabbi of Temple Concord. Our shared celebrations, learning exploration, and growth give all of us added holiness. “I am looking forward to working with all of you as we build our sacred partnership together.” Rabbi Daniel Fellman joined Temple Concord July 1, 2009 as its fifth rabbi since 1883. A native of Omaha, NE, he graduated from Colorado College in 1996 with a B.A. in Political Science. He also earned an M.A. in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati and was ordained in June, 2005. While at the seminary, Rabbi Fellman wrote his thesis on An American Friendship: Harry Truman, Eddie Jacobson, and the Establishment of the State of Israel. Rabbi Fellman has served as Student Rabbi in a number of congregations, including B’nai Israel in Natchez, MS, Temple B’nai Israel in Petoskey, MI where he served for three years, United Hebrew Congregation in Joplin, MO, and Temple B’nai Moshe in LaSalle IL. He also served at the University of Cincinnati Hillel, and summer rabbinic positions in Nebraska. During the summer of 1993, Rabbi Fellman interned at the White House in Washington, D.C. Rabbi Fellman was most recently Assistant, then Associate Rabbi at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, NJ for three years. He served as lead rabbi-in-residence in the first half of 2008 while the senior rabbi was on sabbatical. Rabbi Fellman is an experienced and wonderful teacher. Among his various teaching experiences, he served on the faculty at the Yavneh Day School in Cincinnati and numerous religious schools. Rabbi Fellman was also on the faculty of the URJ Kutz Camp for High School students and the Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, WI. Rabbi Fellman is an Eagle Scout, was a Japan-U.S Senate Scholar in 1990, and was the founder of the Colorado College Hillel in 1994. He served on the Academic Affairs Committee at HUC-JIR and on the steering committee of the Catholic-Jewish Educators Dialogue of the American Jewish Committee in Cincinnati. He was also the editor of the Hebrew Union College Monthly and a columnist for The Jewish Press of Omaha. Rabbi Fellman and his wife Melissa are the parents of sons Zachary and Jacob.
“Farewell ”
by Rabbi Daniel Fellman–Jewish Observer of Central New York – June 2021 “The first time I visited Syracuse was in April of 1990. I was a high school student, visiting my brother at Colgate University for a weekend. I flew in and out of Hancock Airport, attended an Eric Clapton concert at the Dome and had no idea that this community would someday be home. Many years later, Melissa and I, along with infant Zachary, drove through Syracuse on our way from our home in New Jersey to a family event in Toronto. As we drove up 81 an then west on 690, we mused about whether we could see ourselves living here. And we both agreed that we could not even imagine it.” “And then a wonderful surprise — we moved to Syracuse and found a loving congregation in Temple Concord and a community that soon became our home. Over the last 12 years, Melissa, Zach, Jacob, Lizzie and I have been embraced, encouraged and enveloped with love. We found joyful connections, not just at Temple Concord but at the JCC’s ECDP, the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and so much more. Whether we were working together to create the new Syracuse Community Hebrew School, reviving the Syracuse Rabbinical Council, serving the Federation, connecting with InterFaith Works or any other activity in our Jewish community, my family and I have been blessed beyond measure.” “Our Syracuse Jewish community has so much good to savor. We have strengthened our bonds with each other, embracing differences instead of allowing them to separate us. We have come together to celebrate and learn, to grieve and mourn, to dream and build. Yes, the community has changed from what it was in the 20th century. But so much good is possible in the 21st century that we are limited only by our own imagination. Temple Concord, now beginning its 183rd year, stands as a congregation honoring history while harboring great hope for the future. History has thrown many challenges at the congregation, and every generation has answered the call. Today, with the prospects of a new building and a newly emerging identity, a bright future awaits. I am convinced that today’s leaders will chart the best possible course for the congregation and the community.” “My decision to accept the offer to become the rabbi of Temple Concord was one of the best decisions in my life. The Temple family allowed me to learn and grow, to experiment and try new ideas, to succeed and even to fail a time or two. Together we have explored Jewish traditions and texts, we have traveled the world and we have worked to make our Rabbi, Melissa and I faced a difficult decision. Syracuse has been home. But Pittsburgh provided so much for our family— a bustling congregation of 750 families, a Jewish community of 50,000, opportunities for our children we could not pass up. So even as it is hard to bid farewell to our Syracuse family, we are excited about what is possible for us in Pittsburgh. Melissa, Zach, Jacob, and Lizzie join me in thanking you for allowing us to be a part of this gem of a community.” “We have received far more than we have given, and we are all eternally grateful. We look forward to continuing our friendships and to forever feeling the warmth of the Syracuse Jewish community whenever we wear orange!”
From Ou r Temple P resident For more than a dozen years, Rabbi Daniel Fellman has served Temple Concord in full with mind and spirit. He and his clergy partner, Cantor Kari, have shown us how the spoken word and music together can be woven into a worship experience that touches our hearts and, at times, challenges our thinking. He does not shy away from the ambiguities and nuances inherent in Judaism. In fact, he embraces them, teases them out for us, and invites us to wrestle with the “big” questions. In joyful moments, he has celebrated with us and, often, has made us laugh. In tragic ones, be they individual or collective, he has always been there—not to diminish sorrow but to help us through. He has been an advocate for engaged lay leadership, supporting efforts to bring more people into decision-making and to involve the congregation, especially of late, in essential conversations. On behalf of Temple’s lay leadership, I offer my sincere thanks for all that Rabbi Fellman has done for us. And, as we say farewell, I wish him and his family nothing but joy and fulfillment in the future.
Sally F. Cutler
Temple President, 2020 – 2021
After 12 years of renewed synagogue growth, maturing spiritual fellowship, and strong communal leadership, Rabbi Fellman and his family are moving on. We know you will miss him, for you have embraced him with great warmth. We will join them in their new adventure. But before we do, we wish to thank the Temple Concord community for your care of all of us during their years in Syracuse. We remember with happiness and joy how you welcomed Dan and Melissa, toddler Zach and infant Jacob, and then baby Lizzie into the Temple fold. And since we all live so many miles from Syracuse, we want you to know that we are aware of and appreciate the way you have taken our children and grandchildren in, almost as if they were members of your own family We, too, were welcomed, and we specifically wish to express our thanks. We came to enjoy friendships with many of you in some of the ordinary days of synagogue life and, especially, on some of the wonderful trips to unforgettable places (Dick) and during the annual counting of the Omer (Carol and Joe). As a personal note, Dick wishes to add that if Bev could be here today, as she was for nearly half of Daniel’s days as your rabbi, he knows that she would join him in each of these thoughts and in her thanks. For the care you’ve given to our children and grandchildren for the past dozen years, we give you our deepest thanks. Gratefully yours, Dick Fellman, Carol Ellstein, and Joe Wildberg
Tribute to Rabbi Daniel Fellman June, 2021 On behalf of the Board of Directors, Round Table of Faith Leaders, and Staff of InterFaith Works, we would like to thank you for your leadership and support over these last twelve years. You have served in so many different capacities for this agency, and your tireless support of interfaith understanding and activities has set the mark for every faith leader who comes after you. You organized and led an interfaith trip to Israel with Rev. Bill Redfield, which profoundly influenced the faith leaders that participated. Together, we learned about the deep importance of this land, and why it is holy to Jews, Muslims, Christians, Bahia, and more. You convened and participated in a Round Table hunger project to stop the decline of food stamp benefits for low-income people, eating only the food amounts that food stamps provide for a week along with your fellow and sister faith leaders, and holding a press conference to call upon the governor and the NYS legislature to not only keep benefits but also to increase them. You stood with your Muslim peers as a segment of the community attacked their desire to build out the worship space that is now Masjid Isa Bin Maryam, helping these angry people go to a deeper place of grief as they bid farewell to their defunct church, and welcoming the new worshippers. Your witness of peace in the face of anger is a witness to all tensions resulting from differences of faith. You have been a stalwart voice for addressing anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish oppression, pushing for Jewish participation in general community events, holding the community to a high standard for honoring significant Jewish holidays and traditions, and asserting the importance of inclusive language for all people of faith. You have helped my family and many families come to understanding about Williams Syndrome, and been a great listener and guide as an experienced parent advocate. Thank you for your leadership, your service, and most of all, your friendship over more than a decade. We wish you blessings in your new home and synagogue. May your family find a welcoming and supportive community. May you be as loved and respected there as you have been here. And may this new leadership opportunity be for you a true adventure of growth. With fondness and appreciation, Beth A. Broadway, President/CEO
L’hitraot to a great rabbi, friend, partner, and colleague. It has been a true joy to work with such a mensch. –Cantor Kari
L’hitraot to our dear friends, the Fellmaniacs. Once or twice in a lifetime, we may choose a radical leaving, having heard Lech L’cha–go forth. We don’t like leaving, but God loves becoming. We will miss you. – The Eglashim Cantor Kari, Joe, Ari, and Judah
“He is called beloved friend...And people benefit from his counsel, sound knowledge, understanding and strength...” Mishna Avot 6:1 Daniel, Melissa, Zachary, Jacob, Lizzie, we are privileged to call you our beloved friends. Daniel, your counsel, your knowledge, your understanding, and your strength are gifts you bring to your rabbinate and the congregations you serve. Syracuse has been lucky to have you, and Pittsburgh is too. With love, The Drazen Family Susie Gila and Rob Yonah, Megan, and Avi
Rabbi Fellman, Thank you for the 12 years you and your wonderful family have shared with me and my family, Temple Concord, and the whole community. You have accomplished so much here, and I wish you much joy and much success in Pittsburgh. Sandy Gingold
Thank you, Rabbi Fellman, for sharing your wisdom, compassion, understanding, and love. Best wishes, Chuckie Holstein and family, Carol and Ron Killian, David, Jeanne, Alyse, and Liz Holstein
Dearest Rabbi, Thank you for helping us rise to new heights, for uplifting our spirituality, and leading us on wonderful adventures! Best of luck as you explore new worlds and take on the challenges of Pittsburgh. You have been an inspiration to us all and we will forever carry you and your beautiful family in our hearts. Thank you, Rabbi, for being such a mensch! All our love, Margie and Bob Johnson (aka Debbie and Bub)
Thank you for sharing your leadership, your wisdom, your love of Judaism, and your friendship. You are the BEST traveling companion!!!! Lorraine and Irv Bodofsky
The Brotherhood sincerely thanks Rabbi Fellman for all you have done for the Temple over these years. We’ ll miss you, we’ll miss your shtick, and miss your wise council, but know you will give much to the Pittsburgh community. Good luck to all of the Fellmans! May you be blessed as you go on your way! CELEBRATING THE PAST
Temple Concord Brotherhood IMAGINING THE FUTURE
Never forget Temple Society of Concord. We will never forget the Fellman’s. Good luck in all your future endeavors. Philippa Read, Michael Kalet, and Harry Kalet
Dear Rabbi Fellman, Best Wishes to you Melissa and the children on this new journey. Thank you for your leadership to Temple Concord and the Central New York Community. We have each benefited from your time here. May this next journey be filled with health & happiness. Warmly, Thelie Trotty-Selzer & Jon Selzer
WITH GREAT APPRECIATION FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TEMPLE CONCORD OVER TWELVE YEARS AND WITH BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
Judy Papenfus
Thank you Rabbi for sharing with us your knowledge and wisdom of Judaism, history, and the human experience. We will hold fondly memories of our travels to Israel and Eastern Europe with you. We wish you and your family all the best in your new endeavor. Thank you for all that you gave to us, Temple Concord, and the Syracuse Community! Best Wishes, Gary Jacobs and Susan Pasco
With Gratitude and Warm Wishes to Rabbi Daniel and Melissa Fellman. We feel so fortunate for the meaningful way in which you touched our family’s lives. We will miss you! Please come back to visit us all! Shalom, The Bergman Family
Endings and beginnings are bittersweet—we celebrate each with the awareness of the other. Rabbi Fellman has been a dynamic, wise and inspirational presence in our community for the past 12 years. He has taken a leadership role not only in Temple Concord but in the larger Jewish community, providing moral leadership, good humor and friendship and always reminding us of the Jewish values on which our community is based. We will miss his presence at Federation board meetings, miss hearing his impassioned statements on issues of importance, miss his willingness to take the hard path and the high road. Syracuse has been very fortunate to have Rabbi Fellman and his wonderful family be part of our community. Pittsburgh is equally fortunate to have him as a spiritual leader of its community.
Syracuse’s loss is Pittsburgh’s gain. You and your family have made a remarkable difference in our community~ we will miss you! Robin and Steven Sisskind
We wish you and your family a wonderful new life in Pittsburgh.
Be happy, healthy and successful in your future. Judy and Bruce Seidberg
This photo from the wonderful trip we took with you to Israel is but ONE of the very exhilarating and transformative journeys we were fortunate to have with you. We remember the old synagogues of Prague and Krakow, the painful Holocaust memorials, the hills of Jerusalem, the Western Wall, the clay-stoned Jewish neighborhoods of old Marrakesh—All were reflective journeys into our past. Whether on the other side of the world, or at home in Syracuse, you have opened up possibilities for spiritual growth, learning, social justice and community involvement that will always be a model for us. Thank you for years of healing in difficult times and laughter in good times! To you and Melissa and Zachary and Jacob and Lizzie, we say,
L’Chaim!
Thanks for being there when we really needed you. Ken, Alex, and Drew Steiger
Thank you for the past 12 years. You have counseled, inspired, and motivated us with humor, dedication and friendship. This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later. With love, The Waldman Family.
Best wishes to my Thursday Rabbi and his wonderful family for much happiness and success in Pittsburgh. Thank you for your wisdom, support, kindness and menchlikeit. And for always getting your d’vrei Torah in on time. Barbara Davis
We are forever thankful that you took the position as Rabbi of Temple Concord! You have truly been a breath of fresh air for me and others. Even though we have been visible in the Temple on only the High Holy days, having the knowledge and comfort that you were there as our leader and the face of the Temple gave me much personal and spiritual comfort. Your kindness, warmth and genuine persona has been experienced by me, my daughter and my friends when you presided over my mom’s passing, and the wedding of Judy and I. To know that you and your family have been with us for 12 years, seems both short and long at the same time. Even though in the grand scheme of time it has been a short stay, we are thankful to you for just being you! My family and I wish you and your family much joy and success in your next journey in Pittsburgh. I have traveled there on several occasions, and have thoroughly enjoyed each visit. Judy and I hopeful that when we visit there again, we may have the opportunity to say hello to you in person! Our warmest of regards, Gary Dunner and Judy Cohn
Rabbi, best wishes for continued success at your new home in Pittsburgh. We will miss you and your family.
For the warmth, comfort, and friendship your beautiful family has brought to our temple family, we send you our heartfelt gratitude. Wishing you all the best as you begin this new journey. Megan, Rich, Olivia, Henry & Hudson Sykes
Rabbi Fellman– Best wishes to you and your family in your new position. You have made warm and lasting memories for all of Temple Concord and our Communiy. We miss you already! Carole and Harvey Koenig
Thank you for being there when we needed you most. Mazel tov to you and your family. Mark, Judy and Hannah Frank
We wish you the very best of everything and thank you for all that you did for Temple Concord. I thoroughly enjoyed working with you.
We wish you and your family a wonderful new life in Pittsburgh. Be happy, healthy and successful in your future. Judy and Bruce Seidberg
Franala and Barry
Rabbi Fellman and Family– Meryl thanks you for all you taught her in preparation for her Bat Mitzvah. We thank you for all you have done for the Temple Concord Community. Best wishes for your new adventure in Pittsburgh.
You will be missed – not only by our Congregation, but also by the community at large. Carol & Jon Brodsky
Jeff & Meryl Lefkowicz
Thank you for your spiritual leadership, and thoughtful guidance to the Central New York community. Our very best wishes for your continued success.
All the best! Adrienne LeBlang
Paul and Marlene Roodin
Thank you so much Rabbi Daniel Fellman for all you have done for the Temple Concord Congregation as well as for your active engagement with and contributions to the entire Syracuse and Central New York communities. With best wishes to you and your family in this new phase of your lives. Júlio, Ma-Li, Alice & John Licinio
Dear Rabbi: Thank you for all you’ve done for our family. We wish you and your family a wonderful future in Pittsburgh! The Lipsitt/Newman family
We will miss you!
Best regards and love In your new home
from THE GREENMAN FAMILY
Thank you Rabbi for your leadership and service at our Temple and in our community. We wish you and your family much happiness in your new position in Pittsburgh. David & Lynn Horowich
We will miss you all but know our paths will cross again... thank you for making Concord such a welcoming place for our family. Lauren, Chris, Nathan and Mitchell Warren-Faricy
Our fondest memories of Rabbi Feldman are from the Temple trip to Cuba. It was an amazing trip and we enjoyed being part of the of the Jewish communities however briefly. And of course we loved the food and sites. Forever John and I will be trece and catorce – our bus designation numbers and our Cuban identification which stay with us even now. Good luck Rabbi Feldman on your future adventures. Anne and John Sonne
I have known Rabbi Fellman for a short time, but I will always be remember him and be grateful to him for mentoring me through my conversion process. He is a wonderful speaker and teacher. He always speaks with great warmth and compassion. But he also always challenges all of us to ask questions, and to keep taking the steps we need to continue to grow and to become. Rabbi, you will be greatly missed! Thank you for your leadership and for all you have done for me, for the Temple and for our community. Jennifer Gross
Best of luck and best wishes to you & your family as you embark on this new chapter in your lives. Barbara Blumberg Marlene and Sandy Holstein
Sue Gordon Peggy and Bill Grossman
Judith Silverman Ellen and Howard Weinstein
Rabbi Dan Fellman will be greatly missed in the Syracuse and Central New York communities. His energy, passion and unflinching commitment to Human Rights in our area will be realized for years to come. As former chair of the Onondaga County/Syracuse Human Rights Commission, Rabbi Dan led a diverse group of Commissioners who sought equity and justice for everyone in our community.
Rabbi Daniel Fellman: Your friendship, vision and humor will be greatly missed!
The Human Rights Commission wishes Rabbi and his family continued blessings and an auspicious future.
Evan and Deborah Shore
Rabbi Fellman, The Syracuse Community Hebrew School owes you so much. You have always been a champion of our school, which you were instrumental in founding. Thank you for your years of advice, thoughtful discussion and laughter. We will miss you and we wish you good luck in any path you choose.
Thanks for the memories!
Cheri, Diane, & Nicole