| Notes |
- Founding Rabbi of Temple Sinai in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Now semi-retired from congregational duties.
He is the Canadian representative to the International Jewish Committee that negotiates on behalf of the Jewish community with the Vatican and the World Council of Churches.
He used to write to a Chen or a Katz in Israel who was related somehow by marriage and this guy would write to Russia to Yankel (?) Perelson in Alma Ati, Uzbekistan for the South African family. You could write to Israel but not South Africa from Communist Russia.
Also has a law degree from Northeastern University. Tells a story about getting a book on graduation from Felix Frankfurter and then requesting his autograph. When Frankfurter asked why he would want his signature, Frankfurter chuckled when he said because he was Sam Taylor's cousin. Sam was Frankfurter's favorite student.
Jordan relates a story about a relative (sibling) in Russia who was sent to the Chinese border area of Russia when they found out that he spoke Russian so well - they wanted to populate those provinces. When he returned from Izbekistan to Lithuania he encountered a Gentile who used to be a tenant of the family and directed him to the two graves of his parents (in two separate cemeteries. The Gentile also gave him the name and address in the U.S. (?) of his sister. (Jordan referred to a relative that had been in laundry work who might have been this same person).
Jordan Pearlson, 83: Rabbi fostered interfaith dialogue TheStar.com - Obituary - Jordan Pearlson, 83: Rabbi fostered interfaith dialogue
Man who founded Toronto's Temple Sinai in 1954 also had an unexpectedly `ribald sense of humour'
February 28, 2008
John Goddard
staff reporter
Rabbi Jordan Pearlson, who rented a church for his congregation's first service, has died at 83.
While still a student in 1954, Pearlson founded the Temple Sinai Congregation in Toronto's Wilson Ave. and Bathurst St. area, and oversaw the synagogue's growth from 14 families to more than 6,000 worshippers by the time he retired in 1995.
"The synagogue had its first formal service on a Friday night under his guidance in Asbury & West United Church," his successor Michael Dolgin said. "In 1954, that was no minor thing, on either side for the church to agree, or for him to initiate, together with our founding members.
"Throughout his career, both in the city and worldwide, he was strongly committed to interfaith dialogue and understanding."
Pearlson was born Sept. 2, 1924, in Somerville, Mass.
Before becoming a rabbi, he completed degrees in engineering and law.
His first focus was to build the synagogue, but he also distinguished himself nationally and internationally.
He was a Canadian member of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations and the only rabbi in the lectureship's 100-year history to give the Chancellor's Lectures at Queen's University School of Theology.
He was the first rabbi appointed to chair the National Religious Advisory Committee to the CBC and, from 1979 to 2004, he wrote a religion column for the Toronto Star.
"He had a ribald sense of humour," recalled Libby Stephens, his editor for the last few of those years. "I used to enjoy his calls ...
"He was outspoken in a friendly way," she said. "In his columns, you could hear his voice. His sentence rhythms were exactly the same as in his speech."
His successor also recalled Pearlson's wit.
"He had a sense of humour that many found surprising in a clergyman," Dolgin said.
"He loved humour and off-colour in particular.
"When he and I spoke privately, he would tell me that when you've seen what a rabbi of a community sees for decades, any excuse to laugh is a good one."
Pearlson died Feb. 19 of an undisclosed cause.
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=319964
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
'Brilliant' founder of Temple dies
Melissa Leong, National Post Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Rabbi Jordan Pearlson, who more than 50 years ago founded one of the largest reform synagogues in the city, died early yesterday. He was 83.
He was admired for his keen mind, his warmth and his wit. But he was reknowned for his devotion to interfaith relations worldwide and his meetings with Pope John Paul II.
Born in Somerville, Mass., Rabbi Pearlson arrived in North York in 1954 to help a fledging congregation consisting of 14 families. Temple Sinai, on Wilson Avenue, has since grown to more than 6,000 members.
"He was such a presence when he preached," Rabbi Michael Dolgin said. "In the early days, people would come and join the synagogue because of the experience of sitting and listening to him. He would always challenge people on an intellectual level."
The father of three wrote a religious column for the Toronto Star for a time and started a daily religious interfaith dialogue on the CBC.
He had a love of learning which he shared with others. He was the first rabbi to give chancellor's lectures at Queen's University School of Theology and he pioneered non-sectarian nursery programs for learning-handicapped children in his synagogue.
"He was a brilliant mind, a very kind person, very committed to helping people and very committed to the cause of Israel being a haven for those who had to or wanted to go there," said Leo Marcus, the executive vice-president of the Canadian Associates.
Rabbi Pearlson's funeral will be held tomorrow at 1.30 p.m. at Temple Sinai.
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1924 - 2008 (83 years)
