Media
At 100th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide commemoration at Historic Center Church in Hartford. Koren McKanejian, Henry Smolinski, Damaris Whittaker, Kashif Abdul-Karim and Gomida Zohrabian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2017
West Hartford Rabbi to be Honored in Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt Divinity School Selects Rabbi Stephen Fuchs ’92 as
Distinguished Alumnus of 2017
Birmingham, Alabama, September 8, 2017: In April, Rabbi Stephen Fuchs had been nominated, and in August he learned he been chosen as the recipient of the VDS Distinguished Alumnus Award. Yesterday, it became official. A celebration dinner will be held in Nashville on October 17, 2017 at the University Club of Nashville.
To be considered for the school’s Distinguished Alumni/ae Award, one must demonstrate excellence and distinction in justice-making through their efforts in congregational ministry, religious institutions, non-denominational/all-inclusive organizations, community–based organizations, government, or other social institutions.
“The times when people have told me I made a difference in their lives mean the most to me.”
Among his numerous accomplishments, Rabbi Fuchs was the first rabbi invited to speak in several churches in Germany, in addition to conducting the first Jewish service in the city of Friedrichstadt, Germany since Kristallnacht.
He was also the first rabbi to give a sermon at St. Giles Church in Edinburgh, Scotland.
As a writer and lecturer, Rabbi Fuchs’ focus is on social actions to inspire racial and religious affirmation, understanding, and respect.
Stephen Fuchs is also Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, CT, and former president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ). Later this month he will assume the pulpit at Bat Yam Temple of The Islands in Sanibel Island, Florida.
For further information, please contact Susan Marie Shuman at 205.602.0044, or email Susan@SusanShuman.org
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Jews for Judaism!
v.
The New Jews for Jesus
Recently, Nashville has experienced a spate of aggressive missionary activity. This is nothing new. The author endorses Rabbi Fuchs response to such activity in 1997, as an example that would be better followed by rabbis there now than the current response. Below is a portion of the article
"...At that time, Reform-Progressive Rabbi Stephen Fuchs held the line for the Jewish people and was able to deliver a firm response that would put many of today’s younger Orthodox rabbis and Torah observant activists to complete shame. A good number of Jeremy Gimpel’s responses delivered to an audience two weeks ago at Fellowship Bible Chapel appear to be noncommittal, fawning and ambiguous at best. And, in the opinion of Jewish Israel, Gimpel’s “open-ended” approach to Jewish-Christian theological relations could actually encourage those looking forward to a missionary harvest."
To read the article in its entirety, please click here.
Name the Kof!
And the Winner is...
We've finally chosen the winner of the "Name the Kof" contest! It wasn't as easy as it might seem, considering all the creative and sometimes 'off-the-wall' responses we received. Wow! We'd like to thank everyone who participated, and better luck next time. Who knows? Maybe we'll have another nameless Kof one day. Without further ado, the winner is Akuokuo Vallis, who blogs over at STROKE(d) with "Ceiling Tile Kof!" Is that a great name, or what? Most apropos! Akuokuo won a signed copy of Why the Kof? Getting the Best of Rabbi Fuchs, as well as a signed copy of Gutter Ball: A Collection of Short Stories by Susan Marie Shuman.
Congratulations & way to go, Akuokuo!
More about Akuokuo Vallis
Akuokuo (pronounced Ah-kwo-kwo) makes her home in the northwest DC area, and launched her Stroke(d) blog as a vehicle by which to share the story of her mother's stroke recovery. She has an identical twin sister named Akwelle, which means first-born twin; Akuokuo means second-born. Had they been boys, their names would've been Romulus and Remus, as her father liked that story of the founders of Rome. She attended Brown University where she studied International Relations. Akuokuo's interests include cooking, painting, and photography. Future plans include having her own line of natural fragrances as well as a line of men's clothing.
Akuokuo (pronounced Ah-kwo-kwo) makes her home in the northwest DC area, and launched her Stroke(d) blog as a vehicle by which to share the story of her mother's stroke recovery. She has an identical twin sister named Akwelle, which means first-born twin; Akuokuo means second-born. Had they been boys, their names would've been Romulus and Remus, as her father liked that story of the founders of Rome. She attended Brown University where she studied International Relations. Akuokuo's interests include cooking, painting, and photography. Future plans include having her own line of natural fragrances as well as a line of men's clothing.
Akuokuo and Kookaburra
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 Ceiling Tile Kof
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Click the Kof to view the slide show presentation of The Art of Kof.
New designs are added weekly, so be sure to check back often!
New designs are added weekly, so be sure to check back often!
Rabbi Fuchs Accepts Pulpit at Bat Yam in Sanibel Island, FL
Sanibel Island, Florida, May 23, 2017
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Bat Yam has engaged a new rabbi.
Stephen Lewis Fuchs comes to us from West Hartford, CT with a rich and varied background. His last pulpit was at Congregation Beth Israel, where he served as senior rabbi for 14 years before retiring in 2012. The following year, far from cutting back on rabbinic duties, he served as Interim Rabbi for Congregation Beth Shalom in Milan, Italy. He then spent 10 weeks each year from 2014 to 2016 in Germany where he conducted services for the Days of Awe, lectured and taught at the Abraham Geiger College in Berlin and preached/taught in more than 20 churches. His wife, Vickie joined him in teaching about the Shoah in local high schools.
Previous pulpits as senior rabbi were The Temple (Congregation Ohabai Sholom, Nashville, TN for eleven years, and Temple Isaiah, Columbia, MD for 13 years. Note: He began is a Rabbinic Intern at this congregation and then was hired as the first full- time rabbi, helping it to grow from 58 to 385 families during his tenure.
Rabbi Fuchs’ other accomplishments are almost too numerous to mention. He served as president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, visiting over sixty-five communities on five continents speaking and teaching as well as advocating on behalf of Reform Jewish thinking and practice. He was adjunct professor at Hartford Seminary and Saint Joseph’s College, and he has lectured and/or taught at seminaries, colleges and organizations all over the country.
In addition, Rabbi Fuchs has immersed himself in many organizations both Jewish, interfaith and communal. In each of these, he has served as a board member, committee chair or officer. He is the author of several books and over 390 published essays. I invite you to visit him on his website, www.rabbifuchs.com where you will find a wealth of information.
Stephen and his warm and charming wife, Vickie are looking forward to joining the Bat Yam family in September. At his request, he will begin conducting services on Selichot and continue leading and teaching to the end of April.
Now, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the board and our outstanding Search Committee chaired by Lois Lorsch and co-chair Bob Schoen. Committee members were Miriam Bailey, David Berger, Barry Epstein, Barry Fulmer, Michael Hochschild, Edina Lessack, Howard Lorsch, Barry Roth and Leon Skolnick. They made this process run smoothly and efficiently.
Alan Lessack
President
Bat Yam Temple of the Islands
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Bat Yam has engaged a new rabbi.
Stephen Lewis Fuchs comes to us from West Hartford, CT with a rich and varied background. His last pulpit was at Congregation Beth Israel, where he served as senior rabbi for 14 years before retiring in 2012. The following year, far from cutting back on rabbinic duties, he served as Interim Rabbi for Congregation Beth Shalom in Milan, Italy. He then spent 10 weeks each year from 2014 to 2016 in Germany where he conducted services for the Days of Awe, lectured and taught at the Abraham Geiger College in Berlin and preached/taught in more than 20 churches. His wife, Vickie joined him in teaching about the Shoah in local high schools.
Previous pulpits as senior rabbi were The Temple (Congregation Ohabai Sholom, Nashville, TN for eleven years, and Temple Isaiah, Columbia, MD for 13 years. Note: He began is a Rabbinic Intern at this congregation and then was hired as the first full- time rabbi, helping it to grow from 58 to 385 families during his tenure.
Rabbi Fuchs’ other accomplishments are almost too numerous to mention. He served as president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, visiting over sixty-five communities on five continents speaking and teaching as well as advocating on behalf of Reform Jewish thinking and practice. He was adjunct professor at Hartford Seminary and Saint Joseph’s College, and he has lectured and/or taught at seminaries, colleges and organizations all over the country.
In addition, Rabbi Fuchs has immersed himself in many organizations both Jewish, interfaith and communal. In each of these, he has served as a board member, committee chair or officer. He is the author of several books and over 390 published essays. I invite you to visit him on his website, www.rabbifuchs.com where you will find a wealth of information.
Stephen and his warm and charming wife, Vickie are looking forward to joining the Bat Yam family in September. At his request, he will begin conducting services on Selichot and continue leading and teaching to the end of April.
Now, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the board and our outstanding Search Committee chaired by Lois Lorsch and co-chair Bob Schoen. Committee members were Miriam Bailey, David Berger, Barry Epstein, Barry Fulmer, Michael Hochschild, Edina Lessack, Howard Lorsch, Barry Roth and Leon Skolnick. They made this process run smoothly and efficiently.
Alan Lessack
President
Bat Yam Temple of the Islands
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Lighthouse in Sanibel Island, Florida
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Rabbi Stephen Fuchs to Lead Interfaith Clergy Institute on Jews & Judaism for Ninth Year
"Abraham: Spiritual Father of us All"
Birmingham, Alabama, May 2, 2017: On May 8, 2017 at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford CT, Rabbi Stephen Fuchs will lead the Annual Interfaith Clergy Institute on Jews and Judaism. The topic, "Abraham: Spiritual Father of us All" explores the Biblical figure, Abraham, and how the narratives about him are also about us. The event is free of charge and will take place from 9:00am until 1:00pm at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06119. Lunch is included, during which there will be an opportunity for informal Q&A and reflection on the morning’s lectures.
“The fact that I have been the scholar far more frequently — nine times since its inception in 1944 — than anyone else speaks to my strong commitment to interfaith understanding, harmony and affirmation.”
Lecture 1: “Why Abraham?” Why does God choose this individual to restructure our traditional lifestyle and introduce to us an innovative way in which to interact with the Creator.
Lecture 2: “Finding Ourselves in The Abraham Stories.” What do the key Abraham narratives teach that can help each of us become better human beings and spiritual leaders?
Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs is the author of three books, the former President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford. An alumnus of Vanderbilt University Divinity School, he earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Biblical Interpretation in 1992.
For further information, please contact Congregation Beth Israel at 860.233.8215, or email Max Schwimmer at communications@cbict.org
Contact
Susan Marie Shuman,
dba SusanWritesPrecise
susan@susanshuman.org
SPRINGFIELD, NJ - Friday night, April 21, Temple Sha'arey Shalom of Springfield NJ commemorated Yom HaShoah. Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, our guest speaker was mesmerizing, tying the text of the Torah portion with his father's own story as a Holocaust survivor and Rabbi Fuchs own experiences as a present day speaker in Germany. Rabbi Fuchs has educated smaller churches in Germany about the Shoah of which they had known Nothing. Currently he teaches high school students across Germany about their county's history. Pictured are Pam Bain, Temple President; Cantor Amy Daniels; Rabbi Fuchs and Rabbi Renee Edelman.
By TEMPLE SHA'AREY SHALOM
April 24, 2017 at 4:38 PM
Anthem of the Seas Passover Seder
You may have noticed on our Contact/Calendar Page that Rabbi Stephen and Vickie Fuchs celebrated Passover on an Anthem of the Seas Cruise to the Bahamas. Rabbi Fuchs led the Passover Seder and conducted the Children's Choir.
Rabbi Fuchs leading the Passover Seder.
After consultation with Rabbi Fuchs, the Anthem of the Sea chefs took great care to see that each individual table had the ritual foods required for each person to participate actively in the Seder.
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The children asking "The Four Questions."
Anthem of the Seas Children’s Choir under the baton of Rabbi Stephen Fuchs
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Rabbi Stephen Fuchs is interviewed in the April issue of West Hartford Life. Click below to read now!
"The Future is Ours to Shape"
For Immediate Release
Popular West Hartford Rabbi Publishes Third Book
“Why the Kof? Getting the Best of Rabbi Fuchs”
Birmingham, Alabama, March 10, 2017: Susan Marie Shuman, the freelance writer and editor of SusanWritesPrecise is thrilled to announce the publication of Rabbi Stephen Fuchs’ third book, “Why the Kof? Getting the Best of Rabbi Fuchs.” Compiled and edited by Ms. Shuman, this new book comprises forty-seven of the rabbi’s finest (to date) essays and blog posts. Having worked with Rabbi Fuchs on previous projects, Ms. Shuman came to know his work well, and found the extensive subject matter though-provoking, refreshing, and insightful.
“In addition to being a phenomenal speaker and a whiz at Biblical interpretation, how many rabbis do you know who are also tennis pros and know the words almost every doo-wop song? Rabbi Fuchs has a lot to say that’s of interest to a lot of people.”
Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs is the former President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford.
“Why the Kof? Getting the Best of Rabbi Fuchs,” will be available for purchase on 02/23/2017 from Amazon.com and the CreateSpace eStore in both paperback and Kindle formats.
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Friday, September 9 at 8:15 PM- The installation will take place during Shabbat Evening Services at . Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, Past President of World Union for Progressive Judaism (and Rabbi Cosnowsky's former Rabbi) will install Rabbi Cosnowsky into her new role. Rabbi Fuchs was very instrumental in leading Rabbi Cosnowsky into the rabbinate.
Saturday, September 10 from 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM- Shabbaton Scholar Study Session led by Rabbi Stephen Fuchs. Free babysitting is available.
Saturday, September 10 from 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM- Magic show for families with young children and siblings. A magician will entertain followed by snacks, art projects, and play time.
Saturday, September 10 at 6:00 PM- Potluck Dinner and Sing a-long. The main course and beverages will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.
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Saturday, September 10 from 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM- Shabbaton Scholar Study Session led by Rabbi Stephen Fuchs. Free babysitting is available.
Saturday, September 10 from 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM- Magic show for families with young children and siblings. A magician will entertain followed by snacks, art projects, and play time.
Saturday, September 10 at 6:00 PM- Potluck Dinner and Sing a-long. The main course and beverages will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.
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Sermon by Rabbi Fuchs at St. John's Episcopal Church, February 5, 2017:
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Sermon by Rabbi Fuchs at St. John's Episcopal Church, February 14, 2016:
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RIGHT: Receiving tokens of appreciation from the Youth Division Chair of the Jüdische-Christian Gemindschafte in Berlin, Mirjam Blumenschein. I conducted a two-hour discussion of What’s in It for Me? Finding Ourselves in Biblical Narratives at their annual gathering on November 13, 2015.
On Friday, November 6, 2015, Rabbi Fuchs was privileged to conduct the first Jewish service in Friedrichstadt, Germany since Kristallnacht, November 9, 1938. On that night the synagogue was taken over by the Nazis and subsequently used as the home for an SS officer. Today it is a Jewish cultural center and museum.
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Below: Preaching at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, in remembrance of the Holocaust, January 31, 2016.
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Rabbi Fuchs being interviewed about What's in It for Me?, by Susan Campbell, an award-winning Hartford Courant columnist and author of Dating Jesus. The Greater Hartford Council of Churches sponsored the event.
Rabbi Stephen Fuchs' interview with Rev. (Dr.) Shelly Best, President and CEO of the Conference of Churches of Greater Hartford.
Rabbi Stephen Fuchs interviewed on “Main Street Vegan” with Victoria Moran.
Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs shares what he means by “Biblical truth.”
VIDEO CREDIT: JEFF BRODY OMNI VIDEO
World Reform Body Names Rabbi Stephen Fuchs as President
April 4, 2011--Rabbi Fuchs has served nearly four decades as a pulpit rabbi, including his present position as senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Conn., a job he has held since 1997. He is a past chair of the Central Conference of American Rabbis committee on inter-religious affairs, and is known for his work in Jewish-Christian relations and social justice issues.
Fuchs will assume the presidency in July, and plans to divide his time equally between North America and Israel.
The World Union is the international umbrella organization of more than 1,200 Reform, Liberal, Progressive and Reconstructionist congregations in 44 countries.
In Hartford, a Rabbi and an Imam Seek “Common Ground”
March 25, 2002
Source: The Hartford Courant
On March 25, 2002, The Hartford Courant featured the story “Leaders Bridge Religious Divide.” The article described the visit of Rabbi Stephen Fuchs to the Muhammad Islamic Center of Hartford. The article noted, “He gave a passionate, yet informal half-hour sermon, standing before more than 70 people — including two-dozen visitors from his own ministry, Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford. Fuchs spoke of the need for Jews and Muslims to maintain a dialogue to better understand each other. … ‘If we join hands I believe with all my heart we can make a better world,’ said Fuchs.” In December of last year, Imam Qasim Sharief of the Islamic Center spoke at Fuchs’ synagogue. The two religious leaders are trying to find “common ground” after the events of September 11. The article continued by quoting Sharief: “‘We believe that [ Sept. 11 ] is a wake-up call for all men and women of faith to come together to open the channels of dialogue.'”
Source: The Hartford Courant
On March 25, 2002, The Hartford Courant featured the story “Leaders Bridge Religious Divide.” The article described the visit of Rabbi Stephen Fuchs to the Muhammad Islamic Center of Hartford. The article noted, “He gave a passionate, yet informal half-hour sermon, standing before more than 70 people — including two-dozen visitors from his own ministry, Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford. Fuchs spoke of the need for Jews and Muslims to maintain a dialogue to better understand each other. … ‘If we join hands I believe with all my heart we can make a better world,’ said Fuchs.” In December of last year, Imam Qasim Sharief of the Islamic Center spoke at Fuchs’ synagogue. The two religious leaders are trying to find “common ground” after the events of September 11. The article continued by quoting Sharief: “‘We believe that [ Sept. 11 ] is a wake-up call for all men and women of faith to come together to open the channels of dialogue.'”
Repeatedly in the Bible, it is the woman who gets it and the man who is clueless. Eve has been maligned for generations for the supposed fall of man, when in fact; she is the heroine of the elevation of humanity. ~
"Women (Em)Power" from "Why the Kof? Getting the Best of Rabbi Fuchs."
"Women (Em)Power" from "Why the Kof? Getting the Best of Rabbi Fuchs."
