Kessler, Rabbi Stanley, 1954 - 2013

Subject: History of Conservative Judaism/Synagogues in Greater Hartford **Three Part Synagogue Series

Speaker: Rabbi Stanley Kessler

Kessler gives an overview of the conservative movement in the Greater Hartford area, giving brief histories of various congregations and general conservative movement (idea of “Positive-Historical” and “Catholic Israel”, that is, universal Israel). Great deal of focus the Emanuel. Discusses changes over the years (and congregational resistance to it out of a sense of nostalgia more than practice-for instance, allowing women to count in a minyan, which Beth El was the first in the area to do). Talks about resistance of dealing with larger social issues such as civil rights. Touches on Jewish education in the area and lists several people who became rabbi’s/did serious Jewish study. Also talks about Midrasha, Solomon Schechter, and other attempts to form Jewish schools. Role of Sisterhoods/Men’s clubs in conservative congregations, Camp Ramah. Discusses freedom to differ/discuss and it’s roots in the American identity and the Talmud (plurality of Reform, Conservative, Orthodox).

Kessler lists many congregations and names, many of whom are tagged on this file, however not all of them are. See pages 5, 19-20 for a full listing.

Note-refreshments sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Irving Waltman in honor of their father, Mr. David Waltman.

The last five pages or so involve a Q&A session. Covers brief history of Conservative movement in Europe and how it came to the United States, Solomon Schechter. Harry Kleinman gives a brief history of formation of Beth El due to overcrowding of Emanuel-Lists people involved in founding on page 30, and selection of Rabbi Kessler.

The materials of this file document Rabbi Stanley Kessler’s life and career as Rabbi/Rabbi Emeritus of Beth El Temple. There is also a reflective letter from Kessler to the congregation about a 1997 trip to Cape Town, South Africa as well as various articles authored by Kessler on Jewish subjects. Some of these appeared in local newspapers, others were published in academic journals. Kessler reflects on his visits to Israel and the violence he saw. His participation in the Civil Rights movement and involvement in Black-Jewish relations is another topic of focus.

Also some materials are present from honorary events.

There is some information on Stanley’s wife, Dr. Maurine Kessler, an audiologist who taught at Southern Connecticut State University and established an audiology center in Jerusalem. She also wrote at least one of the articles (about the Western Wall) and there is a partial interview with her hat appeared in a paper. One article discusses the emergence of Conservative synagogues in Hartford.

There is some information about the 1978 program where Kessler discussed the history of Conservative Judaism in the Hartford area.

Resume for the Kessler’s Daughter, Abigail Kessler-Hanna, MD