Rabbi Howard Hersch
Rabbi Howard Hersch, 86, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown, PA and formerly Trenton, NJ, passed away on March 14, 2024.
Over sixty years ago, Rabbi Howard Hersch was elected Rabbi of a small congregation in Trenton, New Jersey, that had recently voted to become Conservative. Working together with an outstanding group of leaders they built a vibrant spiritual home for all, soon to be known as Congregation Brothers of Israel.
In addition to being ordained from the Academy for Jewish Religion, Rabbi Hersch returned to the Jewish Theological Seminary and received his Master’s in Hebrew Literature, Rabbinic Ordination, and Doctor of Divinity.
During the time of radical changes in Jewish life, Rabbi was most proud of being part of a synagogue that was forward-looking, accepting of change, and building for the future, without division or losing members.
In Rabbi Hersch’s years of service, he received numerous awards and honors for his work on behalf of the Jewish community, here and abroad. He was honored by the State of Israel, The National Board of Jewish Federation, and the Recipient of The Golden Shofar Award by Israel Bonds. Rabbi Hersch served on Rabbinical Boards and other prestigious bodies for the betterment of Jewish Life and worthwhile humanitarian causes. He has been honored by several Congressional resolutions and Presidential commendations, thanking him for years of service.
Rabbi Hersch’s greatest joy was his wonderful family. He is survived by his beloved wife Joan, all of his cherished children, Avra and Elie Gordis, Seth and Renee Hersch, Jonathan and Julie Hersch, Elicia Brand and David Leudemann and Marni Brand and Mike Berg. The lights of his life, his spectacular grandchildren, Tamar, Ben and Amy, Rebecca and Ezra, Arielle, Shira, Noah, Carter, Parker, Isla, Kye and Joss.
He is also survived by his sister and Brother-in law, Judy and Marvin Kantor as well as nieces, nephews, and many cousins. Lastly, the many members of his congregation, who were his family as well.
Funeral services are Sunday, March 17 at 12 noon at Congregation Brothers of Israel, 530 Washington Crossing Road, Newtown, PA. Please contact the synagogue (215-579-2200) for the link to view the service on Zoom. Burial will follow at Congregation Brothers of Israel Cemetery, 1100 Cedar Lane, Hamilton, NJ.
Shiva will be observed following the burial at the synagogue with minyan at 5pm and Monday – Thursday at the home of Joan Hersch from 5pm – 7pm with minyan at 7pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Brothers of Israel (CBOI.org)
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences please visit:
Rabbi Hersch, of blessed memory, Bat Mitzvahed me, married me and schlepped to NYC to do my daughter’s Baby naming. He buried both of my parents with honor, humor and warm memories. Hundreds of conversations of love and support. He will be missed by the Azarchis and the whole Jewish Community. xxxxxxxxxxxxx Love, Lynne, my husband Steve, Karen, Rachel, and Jake
Rabbi Hersch is remembered with much Love.
He Bar Mitzvah both of our sons. He was there for us at the funeral of my mother.
During the greatest tragedy of our lives, the loss of our son Adam, Rabbi Hersch was at our side for the funeral, Shiva and Yahrtzeits. He knew just the right words to say. Passover Seder and Havdalah at his home was always joyful.
He committed his life to the many families of the synagogue.
May he rest in Peace.
Beloved friend and Rabbi, you will be missed. You were my husband’s mentor, friend, advisor, and companion for 14 years.As Rabbi and Cantor of Brothers of Israel, you served side by side. Now you are together again to continue your work through eternity for the betterment of all. May you both be blessed by Hashem. Rest in peace Dear Rabbi Hersch.
Rabbi Hersch, of blessed memory, Bat Mitzvahed myself and Bar Mitzvahed my brother, married both myself and my brother, was at the bris of my son and the naming of my daughter, Bar mitzvah of my son and Bat Mitzvah of my daughter. He also attended the bris of my grandson (via zoom as it was covid time).
He has been such an intrical part of our family in all the phases of life. He presided over the funeral of my grandmother ( mother’s mother who lived in Trent Center) and my mother.
Rabbi Hersch will be greatly missed by all generations of my family my father, brother and myself, my husband Allen, and my children Louis and Abigail
May his name be for a blessing for all of us, I have known this Mench of a man since I was 11 years old going back to 1973, and he has done more for me and my family than anyone can imagine.
My sincere and deepest of condolences to his wife Joan and her entire extended family.
I am Howard’s cousin, known to us as “Howie” when we were growing up in Brooklyn. He was a star to the Davis clan – we were so proud to have a rabbi in our family! We know that he served his community well, with wisdom and love. Kermit and I send our deepest condolences to Joan, Judy and their families.
Howard was my older cousin and a friendly face my entire life. He was intelligent and compassionate and had a keen but gentle sense of humor. He was devoted to his extended family. I especially appreciated his unfailing kindness and attention to my late mother throughout her long life. Howie, as I will always think of him, attended her many birthday parties whenever he could, and stayed in touch with her on a regular basis. And she in turn loved him and held him in the highest regard. I’m sure Howard showed the same concern for many others who could easily have been forgotten. No one gets prizes for being kind to the elderly and disabled, at least not in this life. It’s a mark of a truly good human being when someone makes that kind of effort without any thought of reward. Howard was a mensch. I’ll miss him.
Many wonderful memories shared with Rabbi Hersch. May the memory of the righteous be a blessing.
As a member of the S Walter gang, Rabbi was such an impression on us all. We are who we are and he was a big part of that. There are no words to express the sadness. He will always be missed by us all. He will always be remembered.
Rabbi Hersch was the definition of a Mensch. A rabbi’s rabbi. He was a giant in his ethical teachings and set the standard for being a spiritual leader. We were all greatly enriched by his presence. He bat mitzvah’d our children, married our older daughter and was always a kind, loving and caring person who made our lives better. We will always remember and cherish his legacy.
Donna and Ira Spector
Hersch and Brand Family,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of our family’s beloved Rabbi, a great humanitarian, kind and caring person. My parents, Sy and Vivian Cohen met him during unfortunate circumstances when he first arrived in Trenton to lead CBOI. He was our family rabbi for over 50 years through all of our life cycle events including baby namings/bris’s, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings and funerals.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Howard Cohen and the entire Cohen family
Rabbi Hersch was my first rabbi after I returned to the Jewish faith in 1991. His secular education and cultural literacy enabled him to communicate and empathize with a broad swath of human society. His charm and warmth lit up the room. His charisma made each person in the room feel connected. He made it cool to go to schul and I will always be grateful for his welcoming understanding and acceptance, beyond religious dogmatism, and his willingness to engage. The world is a poorer place for his having passed.
Our sincere and deepest condolences to Joan and the Hersch & Brand families. Rabbi Hersch was an important person in our lives, truly genuine & caring. His memory will live on in all of us.
The smell of pipe tobacco, going up and down the stairs to the basement for Sunday school, Rabbi’s booming, emphatic voice from the bimah during the High Holidays were all constants during my childhood growing up in CBOI and are now special memories. It snowed three feet the night before my Bar-Mitzvah. Once those who could make it through the storm were gathered in the sanctuary, Rabbi said “Well, it doesn’t look like anyone can go anywhere, I will give a long sermon.” I was amazed at my wedding when Rabbi pulled out an original copy of my Bar-Mitzvah speech from his filing cabinet(s) and read an excerpt from it. He had such a way of tying things together; past, present, future. I was blessed to have Rabbi conduct the naming ceremonies for my daughters, my youngest daughter’s naming was the last time I saw him. As for so many families, Rabbi Hersch was always there for my family both in happy times and sad times. He went out of his way to make us feel special. The entire Baiser family is eternally grateful for having Rabbi Hersch as our Rabbi. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be a blessing.
On Feb. 4, 1996 I volunteered at the Federation Super Sunday. She came over and introduced herself “Hi, I’m Kathy Goodkin”. I said, “nice to meet you. I’m Howard Hirsch”. She said “Yeah, right”, but I was prepared for that with DL and business card.
A year+ later and Rabbi Hersch officiated at our wedding at Brothers of Israel. He was always part of our family, despite career moves that took us to Texas and then to Nevada. All our love and prayers for his family.