Arnold Wolf Obituary

Dear Daughters, Noga, Nurete and Neeva – and whomsoever else:
About Arnold J. Wolf

I wrote for Arnold J. Wolf. I wrote with him in my mind reading and judging what I was writing. And I had the zchut to tell him so a few days before he died. I also told him that in my mind I was always being judged by my own inner tribunal, you, Gene Borowitz and Martin Cohen. They made me the rabbi I am. One pulpit rabbi, two academic yeshiva rabbis and teachers. Almost 50 years has this been going on in my head.

I was in Israel at the time he died. A few days before, he asked I send him three new books I had just completed - one still in ms form - about which I had told him only the barest what they’re about. He said he wanted to read them. .I did send them, but he never lived to read them or to return the voice mail message I sent him before I went off to my Israeli grandkids and their parents for Hannukah. I’m glad he told me how much he liked my Faith and Doubt book. It meant a lot to me. You know how hard I worked on that for nine years, your growing up years in Netanya, as you well remember.

I told him the truth that the book he liked of mine, FDHS, when it was being written and as it was being written my thinking was it better be good enough for AJW and I hoped that he would like it. I sent him two of the books just completed. The theology of “Chewish” and my Exodus Evidence compendium. He had said to me “whatever you want me to do I will do it Reeve” and I said “would you read?” (he knew I meant my new books) and he said “gladly.” He said I was a wonderful writer and that he knew Reeve Brenner before Reeve Brenner was Reeve Brenner. Whatever that meant it was loving. He encouraged other younger rabbis as he encouraged me. I blushed over the telephone. I quickly responded with “look who talking,” and he said “wellllllll” like Jack Benny considering his life or his cash. And we both laughed. I didn’t know him very well but thought about him very often, about as often as I sat down to write and knew that the thoughts and words I put down would be words and thoughts I’d want him and Borowitz and Cohen to appreciate. This from a rabbi of some 50 years, still in awe, in admiration of other senior rabbis. This means that everyday I’m at it Arnold J. Wolf was on my mind. Because besides writing for you my daughters and your families, I wrote for him really.

Sometime, years earlier, I can’t remember quite when, I told him of the impact his “I walk the road of Judaism” had on me and others. Incredibly modest as he was incredibly outrageous he said “I took it from Franz Rosenzweig” Truth is what he did with it, just about the best way of understanding the mitzvah system and how to get with it there is. I informed Arnie that I quoted that piece in my Chewish book and how often have I shared it.

Remember, I told you that just before the elections Rabbi Wolf spoke to me, between his calls for interviews, about his friendship with his neighbor Barack Obama who lived across the street and he assured me of his bona fides and helped me in turn reassure some members of my group by just saying AJW, about whom they heard me speak often enough, said thumbs up. It was dayenu for me.

Friday night, Hanukkah, after kaddish and my words of appreciation for him, I read (again) that “I walk the road” piece to my congregation of some adults and kids including one particular ger toshav, a terrific young man married to a lovely daughter of members of my congregation. And the young man bought into it at once. He told me afterwards, he said “now he understands.” Meaning yes, he was committed to raising Jewish kids from the moment he fell in love and he mentioned the chapter in my book on Conversion and Convergence but now he says he understands the gestalt of the system is what it is all about. And now he an architect and a very creative guy (couple really – she’s also an architect), knows what I mean when I say “get with the program.” Not get with our beliefs, faith, required thinking but do get with the rhythm of it. To experience the Jewish way, the mitzvah system Jewishly, submit to the routine of it, do them as an artist gives in to the work on his canvass that absorbs him fully without dwelling on the chemistry of the paint or like a violinist carried away with the music without asking the why of each note. Wolf’s genius, I saw was as the sharp breeze that lifted the young man’s intellectual sails; the young man just returned from his honeymoon and is now beginning to “get with the program” - coming to shul, struggling with translations and transliterations - understands it better because of Wolf or Rosenzweig by way of Wolf.

As to what I could have hoped from Wolf’s kindness to me was that he’d review/recommend my Chewish book to our colleagues and the Exodus book just finished; I told him they are without cost on the internet written to persuade and not for revenue. This Arnold J. Wolf promised me but did not live to keep the promise. I wish he had lived longer – the world is poorer without him by a lot. His absence hurts. I’m not the only one feeling his loss that knew him from a distance. Nisht zu glachen and l’havdil what was brought to mind was a feeling like Velikovsky must have felt when he learned from his neighbor in Princeton that his good friend and lansman Einstein died. Before Einstein could keep the promise he made to Velikovsky concerning an experiment which Einstein promised to help Velikovsky who needed Einstein’s influence to get the experiment done in space. Einstein had asked “what would you have me do?” like AJW asked of me. And Velikovsky asked Einstein to use his influence to get this experiment undertaken. Einstein thought it was a good idea and promised but he died before he could keep his promise to Velikovsky. I think I know how and what Velikovsky felt.
I know this: I’m not nearly ready to think of putting thoughts on paper for you kids and others without thinking of him reading it.
Love Saba Reeve

Rabbi Wolf was both larger than life and totally accessible. At the beginnings of Congregation Solel in the late 50s and early 60s, back when religious school was held at Red Oak School, I was a very young boy and he was loud, funny, and intense, but yet always approachable. For me, he remained so all through the years he was my Rabbi and each time I saw him in the years after that. He listened, challenged, and then listened some more. He counseled. He praised. He argued. He laughed. He helped make my Jewish life rich and full. He gave me my Hebrew name (Barak). He led our confirmation class in a time of political awakening, and taught us the beginnings of critical thinking. He was there at our important family events. The last time I saw him, he was kind enough to come back to Solel to officiate at my mother's funeral. He was the same. I will always hear his voice booming from the Bima as it did when I was little, "And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say: 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

After reading the guest book entries I feel the loss of Rabbi Wolf's passing; and a deep sense of disappointment that I did not have the opportunity to know him better.

I was in poor shock. He was an inspiration and support during my one year at KAM. He was wonderful and one could always talk to him. He was a true rabbi and inspirational hero.

Rabbi Wolf was a part of my youth at B'nai Jehosua, he instilled in me a sense of being a Jew. I always remembered him. I met him again many years later and he remembered me. What a special person he was. How fortunate you have been to have shared so much of his life.

Dear Grace, Jonathan and Benji,

Our families' send our heartfelt condolences to you. As all of these entries show, Rabbi Wolf was a very special and great human being who touched so many people.

He was the first person I ever had a serious conversation about God with! That should not surprise anyone! It was over one of the many wonderful Sunday brunches we shared with him at our home in Highland Park, during his Solel years. He was a very dear friend of my mom and dad's. I remember the pride we felt in calling him "the civil rights Rabbi" because of his public support of Dr. King.

He played a profound role in my life, helping my family mourn my mother's sudden death in l967, and his presence was an unbelievable source of strength.

When I returned to Chicago from college in the 80's I joined KAM Isaiah and used to love sitting in the synagogue and listening to his sermons and the exquisite music of the choir.

He married us. That, and your presence, Grace, at our wedding was a true blessing.

We are all blessed to have known Arnold Jacob Wolf, to have learned from him, and to have been made better people through our relationships with him.

May his memory be a constant source of love and light for you and your families.

with great affection,
Julie Anixter Shadur

I have some wonderful memories of a Great Man and Rabbi from my time spent in Hyde Park and at KAM. My love, thoughts and sympathy are with his family at this time.

Ina Burd

Rabbi Wolf was a major influence in my life when I was a camper at OSRUI in the 60's. We renewed our acquaintance briefly at a conference in Israel in 1996.
He was always a model, for me, of the integration of religious commitment, intellectual honesty, psychological insight, moral courage and, of course, humor. The world will not be the same for me without his presence.

Rabbi Wolf was one of the most important influences in my life. When I came home from Oconomowoc camp extolling his virtues, I was informed that he had arranged my adoption. Years later, he came to K.A.M. Isaiah Israel and subsequently performed my wedding and both of my parents funerals. His questions made me stretch my mind.

Rabbi Wolf was my mother's first cousin [Myrna Rabat Clary]
He officiated at my first wedding and at my mom' funeral.

He was wonderful from the pulpit and I'm sure that he inspired many young men and women to go into the rabbinate. Betty Bernstein

Grace:

Terry Sachsel and I had planned to attend the funeral today but the weather just was not cooperative.

Know that our hearts and sympathy are with you and your whole family.

We will miss his wit, charm, and his intellect. We will miss our periodic lunches and trips down memory lane.

We thank him everyday for making us the Jews that we are today.

We also looked forward to confirmation classes and would not have thought of missing one. Our confirmation was over 50 years ago and the lessons learned have held us in good stead all of these years.

Marilyn

I was a fan and admirer and student for 50 years. I will remember his voice and his teachings forever. His voice is on my phone and I will treasure it always.

As one of Rabbi Wolf's confirmands I cannot overstate his influence on my life. My deepest sympathy to his famiy.

Jonathan - Errol and I followed the news coverage of your Dad's Bar Mitzvah and talked about you. We were so saddened to find his death notice in today's paper. We have often mentioned the beautiful Invocation he gave at your High School Graduation. What a wonderful legacy he has left you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Affectionately, Mary Fritzemeier Zavett

Dear Grace,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Rabbi Wolf's death... I so enjoyed walking my dog by your house (in nicer weather) when you and your husband were sitting on your front porch cheering us on! I will miss my "over the fence" back yard neighbor.
I extend my sincerest sympathies to you and your family. My thoughts are with you.

Anne Hamada

We mourn with you and the rest of the world at the passing of one of rhe greatest teachers, Rabbis and friends we have had the privilidge of knowing.

From our family to your family
with Love and hugs,

Kaye and Howard

Rabbi Wolf was my Rabbi at B'nai Jehoshua on 20th and Paulina in the 1950's. My parents stayed at this congregation until he left as they felt he was "the" Rabbi in our lives. My father was an agnostic, but Rabbi Wolf gave him many reasons to rethink his ideas. This past Tuesday afternoon, I was telling my cousin Rabbi Jack Moline about how Rabbi Wolf affected my life. How ironic he was gone the next day.
To the Family, my sincerest condolences,
May he rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened by Rabbi Wolf's passing. However, every time I think about him, I begin smiling. He was a wise man and wonderful character. I am privileged to have known him.

You were a great teacher and inspiration to both of us as you challenged us through our own journeys through life.

Our most heartfelt condolences go out to Grace and the rest of the Wolf family.

Grace, I was on the Board when we hired Arnold & I never regretted it - not one second. Not only was he my valued spiritual advisor and a clarion voice for peace and justice, but you and he have been my friends. My sincere condolences,

I am so lucky to have had Arnold in my life as we all must feel. His exceptional ability to keep us questioning and engaging in dialogue was unique. My dad was a founder of Cong. Solel and I was in one of the first Confirmation classes. As far as I know I am one of the few of my contemporaries who looked forward to Confirmation meetings at the age of 15! He had a way of engaging us all but to get a teen to think about deep matters and show up with enthusiasm took someone special. I have been questioning life ever since! Arnold performed our wedding ceremony and continued to be present at life cycle events. What a gift he was. We always found a way to get his take on world events and life in general as he always was a source of inspiration no matter the issue. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life. He will be missed forever, but his legacy will live in our hearts.

Rabbi Wolf was one of the finest men that I ever knew. I had the honor to work with him for about a year and it was an experience for which I will never forget. His book "Unfinished Rabbi" has a permanent place on my nightstand. So long Rabbi Wolf, this world is a better place because of you!