From Robert Dini (Milan, Italy)
Rabbi Mark Loeb came in Milan, Italy, to help the growth of a little Reformed Jewish community, Beth Shalom. In his first Kold Nidre sermon Rabbi Loeb stated the reason for the survival of Jewish people, joined with study, education, family and community. Last Monday, October 5, I was present at his first lesson - conversation about the same matter, and I appreciated his serene conversation. After the sad event, I realized he was very tired and I'm sorry for his unferesseable death.
I hope to give the testimony that I, and the entire Beth Shalom, understood how Rabbi Loeb were a sensible and, at the same time, an engaged and brilliant man.
From Christopher Purdy (Columbus, OH)
After a few years' e mail correspondence on various opera lists I was fortunate to meet Rabbi Loeb. I was immediately impressed both by his intellect and his kindness. I send my condolences to his family and will keep a lovely memory of this fine man.Christopher Purdy
From Adrienne and Sidney Millman (Baltimore, MD)
We will miss the Rabbi - we will miss the man.
From Lisa & Erik Sparks (Owings Mills, MD)
I grew up at Beth El, and Rabbi Loeb officiated at my bat mitzvah way back in 1982. As a child/teenager, I didn't know him well. I would get the opportunity to really get to know him 10 years later. My boyfriend Erik was considering converting to Judaism and we were on the verge of getting engaged. We met with Rabbi Loeb and he presented us with a unique and amazing offer. He told us we could go to the "Introduction to Judaism" class that was offered every year for prospective converts, OR, we could meet privately with him on a regular basis. Of course we opted to meet with Rabbi Loeb privately. For the next 10 months, we would meet with him approximately every other week for about 2 hours. We covered all sorts of aspects of Judaism-history, culture, holidays, etc. He even took us on a driving tour of Jewish Baltimore. During that time we developed a deep relationship with Rabbi Loeb that would continue for many years. In early 1993, the time had come and he officiated at Erik's conversion ceremony. Later in 1993, he and Cantor Hammerman officiated at our wedding. The speech he gave under the chuppah was so heartfelt, warm, and wonderful. It was clear he cherished the relationship he had cultivated with us and made our special day that much more special. He was also there for the baby naming of our daughter and the bris of our son. Although we did not see him as often in the past few years, whenever we did see him, he greeted us with great warmth and hugs. We are so grateful for having had the opportunity to get to know and enjoy Rabbi Loeb, and we are profoundly saddened by his passing.
From Bruce Friedman (Reisterstown, MD)
Although my family and I have been members of Beth El for 15 years or so, and although I have had the privilege of attending various classes that were taught by Rabbi Loeb, it was not until the last couple of years that I was fortunate enough to develop a relationship with him. I regret that it took me so long to make the effort. I will never forget the depth and breadth of his knowledge, nor how proud he made me feel to be a Jew. Our congregation, the community and well beyond, have lost one of the few true moral and ethical compasses of our time. May G-d bless his soul.
From Ken Meltzer (Atlanta, GA)
About a year ago, I was asked to write an introduction for a tribute to Mark, comparing him to a specific operatic figure: Perhaps the one character who shares the most in common with Mark Loeb is Hans Sachs in Richard Wagner's "The Mastersingers of Nuremberg." At first, it might seem strange to compare a Rabbi with a hero in a work by Wagner! But in Wagner's "The Mastersingers," Hans Sachs is the most beloved and respected man in 16th-century Nuremberg. He is a professional, a teacher, and a friend. Hans Sachs is someone with an unparalleled knowledge and passion for music. Sachs has great respect for the traditions of the past, but he is also someone keenly interested and enthusiastic about the new and the innovative. Hans Sachs is also someone who is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the happiness of others.In short, Hans Sachs is the epitome of a mensch. As Eva, the heroine in "The Mastersingers," says to Hans Sachs: "How can I reward you, noble man? What would I be without your love, without you?" Thank-you, Mark, for making this world a better place.
From Robbin and David Bord (Baltimore, MD)
Thirty two years ago we heard about a wonderful Rabbi at Beth El. It was a pleasure and an honor to know Rabbi Loeb for all those years. Through baby namings, Bar and Bat Mitzvot, Weddings and Funerals he supported us and our family. We will remember him fondly. We send his family our deepest sympathies.
From Yvonne and Rene Daniel (Owings Mills, MD)
We arrived in Baltimore and at Beth El at about the same time as Rabbi Loeb. Since then, Rabbi Loeb has been a part of all our life events. He officiated at the Bat Mitzvah of our daughter Lisa and at the Bar Mitzvah of our son Mark. He performed the marriage ceremony (along with Cantor Saul Hammerman) of Lisa and Erik (whose conversion to Judaism he handled on a one to one basis). He then officiated at the naming of our granddaughter Madison and at the bris of our grandson Max. He also shared our losses with the passing of both of our mothers and of Rene's sister. Having been President of Beth El's Sisterhood and a former editor of "The Voice", I got to spend many hours at Beth El basking in Rabbi Loeb's devotion, caring, and knowledge. We will miss him and for us, and for our entire family, he will live on in our collective memories.
From Rabbi Bruce E. Kahn Chevy (Chase, MD)
Years ago, Mark's sister and her family held membership in Temple Shalom of Chevy Chase, and my brother and his family held membership in Beth El. On two successive Shabbatot Mark and I assisted one another as rabbinic uncles at b'nai mitzah in our respective sanctuaries. Those were just two of the many experiences I got to savor in the presence of a revered and beloved colleague and friend. In Avot we read that the world is sustained as truth leads to justice and justice to peace. It was always my experience that Rabbi Mark Loeb persistently and unequivocally spoke truth in the pursuit of justice and advanced justice in the pursuit of peace, even in the face of risk and the demands of sacrifice. He did so with passion and brilliance, with knowledge and wisdom, with boldness and competence, with humor and charisma. It is hard to find in one rabbi someone who is a great preacher, writer, teacher, visionary, and leader. It is hard to find in anyone the consistent, pervasive excellence of Mark Loeb. He shall always be a blessing his family as his family was to him. He shall forever be a blessing to Beth El as Beth El was to him. He shall always be a blessing to those who knew him and to a great many souls who shall gain profoundly from his life without ever having had the privilege of meeting him. May his righteous influences increase through the ages! Bruce E. Kahn, Rabbi Emeritus Temple Shalom of Chevy Chase
From Abby Scherr (Baltimore, MD)
My parents belonged to Beth El for at least 25 years. Almost every Saturday they attended services and my mom would always tell me about the sermon. Five years ago when I was looking for a synagogue I came to hear Rabbi Loeb speak and I was very impressed. It was very important to me that I was in a place where my entire family felt comfortable especially my husband who is not jewish. In March 2008 when we met with Rabbi Loeb before my sons bar mitzvah he re-assured my very nervous husband that all would be ok and that he would not be "a fish out of water" on the beema. I apprecaited his inclusiveness with us. He will really be missed.
From Darren Silverne (London, UK)
I met Mark 10 years ago when he spent 6 weeks with our community whilst on sabbatical in London. We were a very small congregation at the time and Mark was our first visiting for any real length of time, which started New Essex Masorti on a journey seeking our own Rabbi which was fulfilled 5 years later. I honesty believe Mark was the catalyst that made our dreams reality.I was lucky to remain friends and stayed in contact with him and was going to visit him in Milan next week. He will be profoundly missed both near and far. May his memory be a light to us all. Shalom Chaver.
From Gustav and Sheila Buchdahl (Baltimore, MD)
What a loss for all of us personally and professionally. I can't think of many people who enjoyed life as fully as Mark. Sheila and I will be in California at the end of the week. I still have Mark's email that he sent last Monday. He was looking forward to Monteverdi' Orefo at La Scala, Barenboim conducting Verdi's Requiem and Gil Shaham at the Conservatoria Verdi. He also had plans for some serious writing. He added that he will discuss it with us in December. I can't get over the kesher between Mark's death and the charge of Koheleth to embrace life.
From Adam M Mensh (Owings Mills, MD)
It is with deep sadness in my heart that I am writing this tribute, and yet it is also with happiness, because I was fortunate enough, that I got to know Rabbi Loeb as a great friend and wonderful Rabbi. For today as I was about to leave work, my wife, Karen called to tell me that Rabbi Loeb had passed away while he was in away in Italy. Indeed I considered Rabbi Loeb to be a great friend, a humanitarian and great jewish leader, a civil rights activist, a wonderful orator, and most of all a Loving Man and Rabbi. I still am in utter disbelief that he has passed away. Many times in my life I called upon him for advice, support, direction, and guidance. When my father died I knew that I needed a Rabbi to help me through a very dark and sad time. During this difficult time, Rabbi Loeb was ALWAYS available, constantly talking with me, providing kindness, love, and encouragement. He also had an open door policy....it didn't matter if you were a member of the shule.........because with Rabbi Loeb, you only needed to be a member of the human race...and that was all that was necessary to see him. I can recall when I was having problems back in 2007, right before my father became terminally ill, with dementia. Rabbi Loeb saw me through a devastating time in my life when it was hard for me to see through the clouds. Thats when I decided that I needed to seek the help of a Rabbi. During this time I visited with him, and he always provided all the time to talk with me, hear me and be compassionate as well as strong & supportive. It was like yesterday when I remember him putting his arms around me and giving me a giant hug, while I cried out in despair. Indeed Rabbi Loeb was there for me when I had trouble being there for myself. When I often think of his love for the world, I recall a song whose lyrics in my mind typify Rabbi Loeb......"Reach out and touch somebodys hand Make this world a better place if you can. Just Reach out....." This was who rabbi Loeb was. He was constantly reaching out...to his Shule, to his congregants, to the poor, the hungry (Mazon) the sick, the needy, his fellow jews, his fellow man, non jews, his community, locally, nationally, and Internationally and to the world.Charity and acts of Kindness were all at the top of Rabbi Loeb's list and he always taught you the lessons of Torah as they related to current events. He often volunteered his time, visiting the sick, giving to the hungry, serving Mazon, Taking many trips to Israel, and leading efforts for giving Tzedakah to communities in need.Rabbi Loeb was our Rabbi Emeritus at Beth El congregation in Baltimore, where each Shabbos I would go and listen with excited anticipation, eagerly awaiting his next great sermons, as his speeches would teach me more about how important Judaism is, in promoting a fair and just and G_D Loving world. I learned a great deal from Rabbi Loeb about Tikun Olam. He really made this world a better place
for so many who felt that they had been left behind, unheard, alone, or who needed help. He promoted Mitzvot and reminded us all how important it is to help and love one another, to not be greedy, but giving, to not be selfish, but selfless, to not be rude or impatient, but kind and patient. He was such a Kind and Loving person.He also was never one to shy away from controversy, as his conservative convictions were tempered only by his unending love of Judaism, humanity, and everyone he came into contact with and everyone he knew. His mere presence in a room brought light, love, warmth, compassion, kindness and strength. Because I was fortunate enough to know him, as much as he was my Rabbi, I also considered him to be my very good friend. Someone I could trust, who was kind, loving, straightforward, and a compassionate source of strength. Like A Lighthouse helping to navigate the ships away from harm. And Rabbi Loebs Light always shined just as bright as ever! He always stated things as the way they were, not sugar coating anything, and then taking the issues head on using his passion, love, and dedication of Torah to base his guidance and direction to people........and not just Jews, but everyone. He was passionate about his commitment to the congregation and Jewish community and he was passionate about telling his fellow Jews how to be better people, and how important it was to strive to learn more Torah, observe Kosher laws, and how important it was to take care of our community, fellow neighbors as well as performing mitzvot.Rabbi Loeb loved people.....both Jews and non-Jews. I will always remember him and feel grateful to G_D that G_D brought him into my life. He made a footprint on my heart and soul and I will NEVER forget him. I will really and truly miss him and sincerely. I Love you Rabbi Loeb and will think of you often as we mourn your passing. And whenever I look up at the Bima on Shabbat I will always think of you and how much you taught me about life, loving, giving, and most importantly Torah. Thank you Rabbi Loeb for all the gifts and treasures you helped me to see by opening my soul and my eyes, and by helping me to to be a better Jew and a better person.Love Always, Adam
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