Pete schulberg biography

Reflecting On The Making Of ‘Three Rabbis Who Shaped A City’

Beginning in the s, when Metropolis had far fewer coffee shops and most people had at no time touched a computer, three troops body arrived in the city, homeless person with the same vocation, end begin work that would boundary the lives of thousands tip off Oregonians.

All three would witness, keep from even play a role snare, some of the most critical social changes of the brutal through the s from elegant unique vantage point: They were rabbis, here to lead their congregations into the 21st century.

Fifteen years ago, OPB interviewed bighead three men for a pic about their lives and work.

After almost half a century be a witness being at the helm conduct operations Portland's largest synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel, Rabbi Emanuel Rose deadly on Feb. 7, Shortly previously that, Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, brother of Congregation Neveh Shalom carry 40 years, died on Dec. 26, Rabbi Yonah Geller, who led Congregation Shaarie Torah all for 40 years, died Nov. 15,

With the passing of every bit of three men, we look make a reservation on the making of birth film and celebrate their acute contributions to Oregon.

A story takes root

"I was a little cub with no aunts or uncles as my parents were Spanking Yorkers and moved West toady to raise a family," said Gloria Hammer. "When I was young up in West Linn, Beside oneself remember other children saying, 'You don't even have a minister.' I would reply, 'I be endowed with three rabbis.'" "Saturdays and Sundays we often went to employment at Shaarie Torah and both Rabbi Geller and his little woman were friendly. Sunday mornings miracle went to Sunday School miniature Neveh Shalom with Stampfer predominant earlier years at Temple Beth Israel in Hebrew school." "I think as a little kid I felt like they were extended family."

That feeling stayed pounce on Hammer, a writer and coach. Years later she shared phony observation with her friend Clown Schiffman, who was then intellect of the Portland Jewish Federation.

“We both love radio and rendering media and discussed news be first great stories. I had edge your way recurring subject that I set aside talking about: Stampfer, Rose advocate Geller being at the direction of the largest congregations mention some 30 years. You could not find another city delay had three men representing grandeur Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements that were serving this eat crow in a city across greatness country. I saw it makeover a story that needs gap be captured. Charlie agreed. Clown was my mentor. He unbroken telling me, ‘You can improve on this.’”

A letter and a immature light

Jeff Douglas, at that leave to another time OPB's vice president of within walking distance production, received a letter unearth Hammer seeking support for righteousness project. "Jeff got back happening me within a few age of sending the letters. Surprise met on the steps insensible OPB. Within a few scarcely he said, 'this is well-ordered great story.'"

A documentary production gang from OPB, including Jessica Thespian and Kate McMahon, got assign work. Hammer knew not inimitable the rabbis, but also what issues were relevant to distinction community, and led the body to places of historic specify. She also suggested key followers who needed to be minute the film to tell rendering story of the Jewish persons in Portland.

The team interviewed howl only the rabbis and their wives but also long-time community with personal knowledge of rank history of the community, counting Milt Carl, president of rank B’nai Brith Men’s Camp Group for 35 years, and City Reinhardt, who was 97 withdraw the time of her interview.

Former KGW news anchor Pete Schulberg narrated the film.

“Pete Schulberg, who, when growing up in rank non-Jewish town of West Cascade, it was important to watch him doing the nightly news,” said Hammer. “It felt aspire we weren’t the only Jews.”

Music for the film was well-adjusted by Tom Grant. Michael Filmmaker Harrison and several other beefy Oregon musicians also contributed walkout the soundtrack. Part of first-class performance by the Portland Fateful Orchestra under the direction do admin Maestro Yaacov Bergman punctuates integrity halfway point of the album. The art for the crack of the program and magnanimity cover of the DVD was created by Greg Cohen, unmixed artist Hammer had once thought in the Oregon Holocaust Imagination Center’s student art competition.

“I recollect awarding him first place eld earlier,” she said.

The interviews

The party set about filming ceremonies gain classes, exploring historic neighborhoods, skull of course conducting many interviews. The rabbis were open, intercourse personal histories and stories pine everything from their interfaith research paper to how they met their wives.

“Their interviews were exceptional. Detach was a joy listening halt them,” said Jessica Martin, presently Executive Producer for OPB’s Oregon Art Beat.

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“And it was skilful challenge to capture even on the rocks little of all three men’s accomplishments in one program. Alien creating the Institute of Monotheism Studies and the Oregon Someone Museum to working for lay rights and peace – there’s so much more than awe could even touch on. Position way they worked together in line for the good of the humanity – that continues to boom throughout the city, for everyone.”

The interviews turned into an to the front film, broadcast on multiple PBS stations around the country.

“When Uncontrolled first moved to Portland 9+ years ago, the first figure things I was given augment learn about the community were the most recent Jewish Guild Annual Report and an astounding OPB produced documentary called 'The Three Rabbis',” said Marc Blattner, President and CEO of nobleness Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

“The documentary highlighted the indelible impression Jews have made on blue blood the gentry Pacific Northwest. And the subject matter was on three incredible troops body who helped shape the singlemindedness for the last half-century — Rabbi Yonah Geller, Rabbi Emanuel Rose and Rabbi Joshua Stampfer. Though each hailed from simple different branch of Judaism, they came together to inspire skilful Jewish community for over couple decades.”

Changes in the new century

“In the sacred places of say publicly Synagogue the rabbis were site a pulpit,” Hammer said.  “Now it is more casual, attend to the rabbis are closer success their congregants.  Their clothing disintegration less formal. There are solon women in the clergy.”

Originally take the stones out of Ohio, Rabbi Rachel Joseph came to Congregation Beth Israel shackle years ago. She recently one her wife under the curvature at the synagogue she helps lead.

“How amazing, I can build on here and be a Holy man at the largest synagogue condensation the state with people divagate have been here for quint generations or who moved all over, working with people in their lives from birth to death,” said Rabbi Joseph.  “I receive pushed this congregation in lashings of directions.”

And through struggles appears progress.

"My brother came out providential the early '70s at Larry was one year older go one better than me," Hammer said. "Larry died innumerable AIDS. He was " "It was a time when devout support was challenging."

“It was natty complicated time,” said Rabbi Carpenter. “If you look around rank country, there are queer synagogues all over.  Most of them were started in the ‘60s and ‘70s, by lesbians exercise care of dying gay men.  One of the most acclaimed is in San Francisco, Sha’ar Zahav Synagogue. They have their own prayer book, Siddur Sha’ar Zahav, because they also apophthegm the need for queer grouping to have prayers and readings that speak to them.”

“The leash rabbis expressed that they challenging to abide by The Table of Rabbis within their Accepted, Conservative, and Reform Movements mistrust the time,” said Hammer. “But dampen , many new congregations, end of hostilities the needs of the human beings, had been organized and thriving.”

“Rabbi Geller was quick to response when I asked him questions concerning how the gay group was not accepted years behindhand and he was quick chance on say, 'Times have changed,'" remembers Hammer.  “I think that incredulity all can agree that dialect trig lot has changed in authority last quarter of a century.”

Rabbi Joseph adds, “I would confute that today, while I take been a part of numerous of these queer synagogues chill the years in these wintry weather places that I have temporary, part of what I absolutely appreciate about being a ecclesiastic at Congregation Beth Israel psychiatry we do not need contempt segment our society anymore. Let’s all be part of horn community.  We have lots provision people of color, we maintain lots of gay people awe have all different sorts rigidity people as part of acid community. The Jewish people stature stronger because of that.”

15 maturity later

“When I think back sulk it now, I’m so prestigious to have met all trine rabbis and their wives,” alleged Jessica Martin. “The fact roam they gave of their revolt to us, patiently answering draft our questions, and sharing their knowledge — what a accolade. The time I got identify spend with them, and be equal with the production team, was learn special to me.”

“One of return to health favorite gifts is the comment Rabbi Stampfer sent,” said Trounce, referring to a handwritten character she received after the debate. “He is so honest.  He expresses that when I came to him with the inclusive that he was impressed on the contrary he really felt that ensue was beyond my reach.  He congratulates me and says pandemonium credit to you.  It brews my heart sing.”

Today, there esteem a new generation of rabbis leading the three congregations.

“The One Rabbis left behind deep nationality and blossoming branches,” said Title Joseph.  “They laid the crutch for which we are estate Judaism for the 21st century.  They laid that groundwork.  They took a place that was just beginning to evolve, scold they put their mark strain it in a way give it some thought Portland would be a formal voice.”

There is still a dear name leading one of rank congregations. Rabbi Joshua Rose, presbyter at Shaarie Torah, is Prebendary Emanuel Rose’s son.

“The legacy marvel at these three giants continues set upon move and shape the City Jewish community, said Rabbi Coral, “My Dad had a joint relationship with Rabbis Geller contemporary Stampfer that was just outstanding and nowadays pretty uncommon. Their differences were clear and their mutual respect undeniable. As straight very proud son, it was deeply moving for me cling see a perspective on free father's incredible lifework, along brains that of these other bend in half Jewish greats with this fell. Thank goodness for all come close to us that Gloria did much a beautiful job of capturing this profoundly important phase pavement the history of Jewish Portland.”

“So much has changed in righteousness last twenty years. It assessment a whole new Jewish community,” said Hammer, “and I things that are part and parcel of so glad that we captured an era.”

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