From Rob Miller (Phoenix, Arizona)
Rabbi Loeb has always held a very dear and special place in my heart. I remember well, as a young adult, when Rabbi Loeb first came to Beth El and my beloved parent (Joe and Irene Miller) were on the committee at that time, to review him. I remember both of my parents being very excited about this young, new Rabbi and all that he would bring to our congregation. As the years went on, I watched as my daughter Erin became a Bat Mitzvah, then followed years later by my two young sons, Jarod and Justin Miller as they became a Bar Mitzvah, all under the direction and leadership of this amazing man. Just a year and a half ago on Fathers day, I suffered a very severe Brain Annurysim and had two strokes during the operation to remove the first two inches of my brain. Rabbi Loeb visited me in the hospital and sent me a beautiful letter of encouragement upon my release from the hospital. I had been thinking about Rabbi Loeb almost daily since my release over a year ago. It pr ompted me to write him an email just 4 weeks ago, before he left for Italy. He DID remember me, and my family, and wrote me a beautiful email in repsonse, and said, "Robert you can ALWAYS call on me, in good times and bad, and if you need me while I am in Italy all you have to do is write". I was thinking about him again today Sunday October 25th 2009, when I got a call from a dear family friend who informed me of his sudden passing. I have not yet resolved in my own mind, whether there is an actual heaven or not, but I do know, without hesitation, that if there is one, our spiritual leader Rabbi Loeb, is sitting there smiling his warm smile, and probably leading a service or two. I cannot tell you the positive impact that this beautiful man has had in my life. My sincerest sympathies go out to his friends and family, as he is someone that I will NEVER FORGET. I will light a candle for my Rabbi, every year, just as I do for my parents. May his family have comfort in knowing t hat Mark was simply the best of the best. He touched the lives of all in my family, and his memory will never be forgotten. Sincerely Rob Miller
From Bonnie Clarke (Baltimore, MD)
I simply wanted to convey my condolences to the Beth El congregation on the loss of Rabbi Loeb. We are all a bit less when we loose such a good man, but we are also a little bit more when we reflect on the beauty Rabbi Loeb's life brought to us by being among us.
May you all remember him well, and may that bring you peace.
Best Regards,
Bonnie Clarke,
Elder at Ashland Presbyterian Church and ICJS Board Member
From Gary Bernstein Family (Baltimore, MD)
Rabbi Loeb made each family feel that they were the center of his world. When we asked if we could have an exception (it was not done at the time) by having a Bat Mitzvah during Havdalah to accommodate our daughter's concerns, Rabbi Loeb said yes. With the lights low and the sanctuary intimately populated, it was beautiful, warm, and low key evening. She entertained him the entire service. She was so relaxed and animated, that as he began to bless her he called her a human talking machine. My new wife is not Jewish and only knew him briefly. Deb compared him to a prophet. She had us take his evening class on Jews and Christianity. She too was touched by his sense of service and decency. and amazed at his intellect. He could move people to action, Just like the prophets of the Old Testament. He touched her also.At my father's unveiling he gave the most beautiful and poignant talk. I have paraphrased his words to others who have suffered the loss of young childre n, and they have found them comforting. Rabbi Loeb could see the overwhelming sadness in our family as we removed the cloth covering the foot stone. I don't know what he planned to say before he looked at the collected sadness in our eyes, but he warned against melancholy that he said would infect and destroy the quality of our lives (like rotting fruit), and would have the opposite effect of honoring my father's memory. He did more healing that day then 11 months of prayer. I will be moved each time I see his face as I enter the synagogue, but I will remember his words that day at my father's grave, so that as I wipe away the tears, I will use the blessings he gave to me and my family as a source of energy to enjoy the gifts that G-d has given to me and to my family. We will miss you Rabbi and will never forget your kindness; and we will never forget to follow your lesson of how to live. Rest with G-d and in peace.
From Lisa Rothstein (Baltimore, MD)
When I first moved to Baltimore in 2002, I was overwhelmed by the numerous synagogue options. That summer, while looking for a place for Tisha b'Av, I ended up at Beth El. I remember hearing Rabbi Loeb then and I remember all the other Friday night services in the chapel that I went to. Although I later joined Beth Israel to be with my family, I always loved coming back to the Beth El and hearing Rabbi Loeb speak. When I recently joined the staff, I noticed that he was in his office every day. I realized how dedicated he was to Beth El and that he never really retired!I'm sad that I never knew him the way so many did, but I'm honored that I work in a shul that he has left his mark upon. I can only hope that his passion for social justice, education and Judaism will continue to permeate the halls of Beth El and rub off on all of us.I offer my sincerest condolences to his family, friends as well as everyone who knew and loved him. That's more people than anyone will e ver be able to count.
From Sheitel Family (Reisterstown, MD)
YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR OUR FAMILY; YOUR ABSENCE IS PROFOUNDLY FELT
From Rabbi Ronald Z. Schwartz (Baltimore, MD)
Mark was a brilliant orator, an honest, caring, kind person, a graduate of HUC-JIR. His love of opera was matched by his love of food, friendship, books. He lived the life of the mind. A savvy counselor, a skilled diplomat, he always knew the right things to say. He called himself a "socialist Capitalist" because he appreciated wealth, understood poverty, and embraced all traditions. His life was full.
From Rabbi David Greenspoon (Baltimore, MD)
There are so many things to say, but less is more. I will always be grateful to Rabbi Mark Loeb for his vision that created the position of Assistant Rabbi Director of Congregational Programming. I am also grateful and for his support in ways large and small to my rabbinate in this position. He was a tremendous influence for me in the short year+ that I had in his orbit. I will miss him, and the opportunity for his continued mentoring and friendship.May his soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life.A Song of David:An interpretive translation of Psalm 15, in memory of Rabbi Mark Gordon Loeb zâ€l.By Rabbi David Greenspoon Adonai, who is it that will dwell in your Sanctuary? Who would abide on your holy mountain? It is the one who walks with simplicity and wholeness, who works righteousness, speaking truth from the heart. It is the one absent malicious speech, refraining from doing harm to anyone, and not brandishing evil against others. It is the one who shuns the contemptible, instead giving honor to those reverent to God. It is the one who upholds commitments unwaveringly, even when it comes at personal cost. It is the one who does not take advantage of others in their distress; indeed it is the one who champions those most at risk while in their time of need. The one who does these things will not be forgotten for all of Your eternity.
From Laura F. Kellam (Reisterstown, MD)
My husband and I had the honor of Rabbi Loeb's presence at our August 2nd, 2009 wedding. He, along with Rabbi Buchdahl, officiated. The choice of having two Rabbis was a sentimental one, since Rabbi Loeb had officiated at the wedding of my husband's parents, and Rabbi Buchdahl had officiated at the wedding of my parents. Early in the wedding planning process, we had worried that some difficulties would arise due to having two officiants, especially if one was "reform" and the other "conservative". However, to our relief and surprise, we discovered that the two Rabbis were actually great friends, and quite eager to share the task. Needless to say, it was a good choice. Our ceremony was extremely special, as well as entertaining! The two Rabbis together were like a comedy team. Their humor certainly eased our nerves under the chuppah. At one point during the ceremony, the heat of the chuppah lights started to get to me and I felt that I could not remain standing much longer. I will never forget that Rabbi Loeb, ever so discreetly, began blowing cool air on my face. He truly saved the day, since I am sure that I would have fainted otherwise!As I look at pictures of Rabbi Loeb at our wedding, and at our ketubbah which he helped to write, I know that we were truly blessed to have him with us. We later learned that he had postponed moving to Italy so that he could officate at our wedding. We will always remember him with great joy and respect. Laura F. Kellam
From Julie Brafmann Dorkan (Timonium, MD)
My memories of Rabbi Loeb take me to my very young years. His sweet smile, twinkle in his eye and bear-like embrace, always made tough times easier and good times better. The morning of my Bat Mitsvah, he phoned me to see how I was holding up....he knew I was so nervous. Stricken with 103, I was so ill, I did not know how I would perform. He believed in me and insired me to believe in myself, regardless of my illness. After my grandmothers' passed, he was a pillar of stregnth for my whole family. For the past 39 years, Rabbi Loeb was "my Rabbi." He enriched me with his sermons and inspired me to be a better, richer person. We are all better people for having known him. Rabbi Loeb, may you rest in peace.
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