Rabbi Mark Loeb, longtime leader of Beth El
Rabbi Mark G. Loeb, who was spiritual leader of Beth El Congregation in Pikesville for 28 years until his retirement last year, died suddenly Wednesday evening in Milan, Italy, where he was serving a congregation as an interim rabbi. Further details were not available. He was 65.
Known both within and beyond the local Jewish community for a powerful and wide-ranging intellect, Loeb was deeply engaged in public affairs, from activism for civil rights in the 1960s to service on the gubernatorial commission last year that recommended the abolition of the death penalty. He was national president of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, chaired the board of Baltimore Hebrew University and promoted interfaith dialogue as a co-founder of the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies.
"Rabbi Loeb's life and good works were an inspiration both to his own congregation, and to our entire state," Gov. Martin O'Malley said Thursday. "He spent his time on this earth living the timeless Talmudic notion that 'the highest form of wisdom is kindness,' always standing up for our most vulnerable citizens, always fighting for social justice, always pursuing Tikkun Olam, repair of the world."
Comments
Extremely sad news. Rabbi Loeb was a scholar almost beyond comprehension. His humanitarian spirit and empathy for others will surely live on in the many who knew and admired him. A huge loss for all!
Posted by: AMC | October 8, 2009 11:34 AM
Mark was a friend for many years - he was influential in the formation of our Congregation (Beth Chaim in Pct Jct.,NJ) and served there during his student days at HUC. He was a personal friend, confidant and humanitarian extraordinaire!
I will remember how much he loved CHanukah - a large personal collection of menorahs - especially the "old orange candles" that I continued to send him periodically - he was the definition of a "mench" - we will miss him.
Posted by: Raleigh and Saul Rigler | October 8, 2009 1:55 PM
Because of Facebook, word of Rabbi Loeb's passing spread fast. Literally, on the 33rd anniversary (10/9/76), 2nd day of Sukkot) of my Bar Mitzvah, I recall Rabbi Loeb with great honor. He was a young rabbi then and I felt he could relate well to our generation. He helped me write my Bar Mitzvah speech in his study. I felt my Jewish identity was forged at Beth El and I am grateful to have been there under his tutelage. A vast lost to Modern Conservative Jewry
Michael L. Steinberg
Ferndale, Michigan
Posted by: Michael L. Steinberg | October 8, 2009 4:21 PM
As a Rabbi, Mark was an enduring symbol of what is good about Judaism and the Jewish People, all people for that matter of fact! His works and achievments shall forever be the meassuring point by which those who follow shall aspire.
As my Uncle, Mark was alway a charasmatic, joyful and funny guy who could be relied upon to foster great conversation, challanging discussion, joy and best of all, knew how to treat us all to the finest in dining experiences.
He honored me by performing my marriage to my ture love. He honored me by bringing all my children into the faith both at birth and again at Bar and Bat Mitzvah. My only regret, now that he has passed is that my children will not have this same opportunity, joy and mitvah.
I look forward to seeing you all as I travel to Maryland to honor his life with the joy of my memories as we did just last year. Mark would want us all to celebrate his life and to strive to follow his example of caring about others more then ourselves. If ever a man lived that creed, it was my uncle.
Art Francis
Seattle, WA
Posted by: Arthur Francis | October 8, 2009 4:58 PM
Our family had been members of Beth El Congregation for over 40 years before moving to South Florida in 1998. Rabbi Loeb was a great man and a great friend to the Jewish community of Baltimore. We saw him just prior to his retirement in May 2008, when he visited Boynton Beach, Florida and met with members of Beth El that lived in Florida either as part-time or full-time residents and still had a great connection to Baltimore and the Beth El Congregation family. He will be missed very much by our family as well as the entire community that had come in contact with through the years.
Posted by: Harold Lowenthal | October 8, 2009 10:32 PM
Rabbi Loeb was a giant among Baltimore religious leaders, and although his presence will be sorely missed his influence will continue for generations. May his memory be for a blessing.
Posted by: Rev. Jason Poling | October 8, 2009 11:13 PM
How lucky we were to have Mark Loeb in our lives.
Posted by: S Schneider | October 9, 2009 8:28 AM
Rabbi Loeb was one of the first rabbis I met when I came to Baltimore in 1977 to serve the Govans Presbyterian Church. We were early participants in the I.C.J.S. interfaith studies, and Mark brought an insight to our discussions that, I know, changed my whole world view of religion, and helped broaden my own faith. He will be missed.
Posted by: Rev. Jack Sharp | October 9, 2009 5:40 PM
I was looking forward to seeing Mark next week in Milan. Rabbi Loeb visited my community in London whilst on sabbatical around 10 years ago and he and I had remained friends with him ever since. May his example be an example to all who knew him.
Posted by: Darren Silverne | October 11, 2009 8:34 AM
Rabbi Mark Loeb did something during this lifetime that is so necessary today. He created positive dialogue among people of all races and faith. I remember fondly attending Beth El to engage in scholarly debate on many subjects. His spirit is needed to be recaptured again. May he rest in Peace!
Posted by: Rev Dr. Alvin Hathaway | October 16, 2009 2:30 AM