From Susan Pye
Walter and I were shocked and saddened to get your news. For the brief time that we knew him, Rabbi Loeb brought us so much joy, and we felt so blessed to share Yom Kippur with all of you. I know that you and your congregation’s sense of loss are far greater than anything that we can imagine. Rabbi Loeb had generated so much energy and even a sense of a rebirth in Judaism for so many of the people that we talked to over the course of those two days. We just wanted to share our deepest condolences with you. Please keep us in the loop as to what you are doing at Congregation Beth Shalom going forward. Fondly, Susan Pye
From Marcia Friedlander (Pikesville, MD)
Rabbi Mark Loeb was a man with a heart of gold. He may have seemed gruff at times, bue he was always there if you needed him. He was a kind-hearted, generous, compassionate man. He was not only a phoenominal Rabbi and speaker, he was also a mentor, a teacher, and a friend in need to all of us. On a personal note, besides the few times he helped me when I had some personal problems, he was my "Jumble" and "Crossword" buddy. I already miss him more than I thought possible. Beth El will never be the same. We are, however, very Blessed to have Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken: two of the finest,caring Rabbis in town. They will take Beth El into the future, and it will be good: it won't be the same, but it will nonetheless be good...very good.Rabbi Loeb was one of a kind, he will be missed by all for a long, long time.R.I.P. dear Rabbi, wrapped in the arms of HaShem. You deserve a seat next to Him.
From Sharon Blumberg (Aventura, FL)
My most favorite memory is of Rabbi Loeb and my precious son, Joel Andrew Gellar, both of Blessed Memory.....Joel attended St.Pauls School beginning in the 8th grade, and had to take religion. First half was the study of the New Testiment, when the second half began, the interpretation of the Old Testiment, seem wrong to him. As Joel's way, he call Rabbi Loeb and ask to meet with him each week before religion class to make sure he understood the interpretation of the old testiment, so that he could present it in regilion class. His only concern was that the school might take offense to his objections and explanation from the Jewish point of view. Rabbi Loeb encouraged Joel and met with him that entire semester each week. They developed an even stronger bond and Joel won the Religion Award that year at St. Paul's! Joel and Rabbi Loeb continued their friendship and when Joel went to Israel while at Emory University for Religion class, for that summer, Rabbi Loeb went,
too and visited Joel. It was very meaningful to Joel, to have Rabbi Loeb, a friend from home, visit and share news of Baltimore. The next October, Joel lost his long battle with cancer and Rabbi Loeb, was there, once again for my son. He was an amazing Rabbi, so giving and so wonderful to talk to and listen to. I know he is with my son, now and forever..........
From Faye and Abe Adler (Baltimore, MD)
Faye and I were privileged to intimately know Rabbi Loeb for these last 32 years He was our weekly Shabbos dinner guest when he was in town or not at a Schul function. We met when we were on a panel concerning Jewish divorce at the Hebrew College in 1977, and immediately became close friends, and so our family was immeasureably increased. He was not only a great intellectual, but a deeply committed Jew who was involved in every aspect of what it meant to be a leading and dynamic Rabbi. He cared deeply for his flock which was not only his devoted congregation, but his many friends from all walks of life. He constantly pursued justice as well as help for the less fortunate along with a great passion for peace. He never forgot his parents and his sisters whom he adored.He became an intimate member of our family and participated in our life cycle events of every kind,nature,and matter. We were honored to travel with him and to see him.He meant so much to our entire fa mily that seeing his empty chair on Friday evening is truly heart-wrenching.
From Larry Fieber (Solebury, PA)
We shared a front row seat in each others' lives for thirty-five years. Because of you, I have enjoyed so many wonderful blessings of life. Words have not yet been written to describe how much I love and will miss you. Your wisdom and goodness will be with me all the days of my life. And when my heart speaks, it shall be you. You have and will always be the wind beneath my wings. Sleep well and in peace my dearest and best friend .Love, Larry
From Carolyn H. Shochet (Baltimore, MD)
Many years and many of life's pleasures and sorrows brought Rabbi Loeb and me together; births, B'nai Mitzvot, weddings, illnesses and deaths. I had the privilege of relying on Rabbi Loeb for advice and comfort not only during my term as Sisterhood President or as a congregant, but more personally.He knew my parents, my children and my husband and he befriended and guided all of us in countless ways. I shared my hopes, my dreams, my heart's desires with him and trusted him with my deepest thoughts and feelings.Friends we were and friends we'll beFrom then and now, through eternityIn my thoughts I'll always knowIt matters not where I may goWe may be near or far apartBut always, always close at heart.Rabbi Loeb performed a lifetime of good deeds for others. With love, respect and admiration, I am very thankful that Rabbi Loeb was a part of my life. I will miss him with all my heart.
From Sandy Stadtler (San Francisco, CA)
I have known Mark for 40 years. We first met when he and I worked for the United Synagogue and were at the jewidsh Theological Seminary as students-he in the Rabbinical School and me in the Teacher's Institute.During all these years we have seen each other almost annually in Baltimore (most recently in August, 2009), at his tribute weekend and other times at Rabbi Pohl's home, in N.Y., S.F., Israel, France and elsewhere. As we all know Mark was a most amazing person, intellect, rabbi, teacher & friend. He convinced to get my first hairpiece (long gone now), taught me a love for opera, good food, sensible and committed Judaism with a focus on the pursuit of justice. lo Chasuv he hamidrash, ela hamasseh, deeds are more important than words.He worked with me and for me at the Metropolitan N.Y. region of the United Synagogue. His stories ranged from overnight runs from Portland (while at Reed College) to S.F. for Pizza and italian food, to those afternoon/ evening runs to Manhattan for opera and good food to chasing around Jeruslaem to buy my son tefillan and sitting at the Shraton Pool shabbat afternoon listening to my son practice for his Bar Mizvah. His crazy 4 day trips to Italy for Opera and prolonged stays in So. France (we caught the Tour de France one year).So much more has passed between us these past 40 years-too much to remember and way too much to write about. I always called Mark the Melech haKavod-Loeb, as we sing while returning the tora on Chagim-Mi hu zeh, Melech hakavod. Mark was and always will be the Melech hakavod to me-a king of a person to whom our honor is due.T'hay Nishmato B'trur ha chaim, Yanuach B'shalom-Mark, I will miss you, my wife and children will miss you, we'll all miss you With Love Sandy
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From Barbarl Levenson (Baltimore, MD)
rabbi loeb was a caring and thoughtful person. one example ,was when my father passed away, rabbi loeb was in israel.however, he took the time to call from israel to not only offer his condolence , but to tell me what a wonderful man my father was.this meant so much to me that my rabbi cared enough to cALL FROM ISRAEL , AND MAKE ME FEEL HOW MUCH HE THOUGHT OF MY FATHER.
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