Rabbi Harold S. White @rememberingrabbiwhite - Tumblr Blog

In Memory of Rabbi White

YOU ARE US AND WE ARE YOU

We are kin and kindred, comrades and companions, co-workers and congregants, confidants and community

We are partners and soul mates, mentors and mentees, running buddies, theatre mates and table mates

We are duets, trios and sextets An extended family that spans the decades of your colorful years

You embraced our own unique stories, Creating one global story that circles and unites our lives with yours

Because of you, we learned and evolved As we worked to ensure an equitable and just world

Following in the footsteps of Heschel, MLK and Buber We will carry forward your lessons of Tikkun Olam Repairing the planet piece by piece together and as one

From Poland to Martha’s Vineyard, Israel to The Mayan Route, and Guilford to our nation’s capital You inspired us to integrate the personal, the political and the spiritual

From crisis to celebration Years of laughter and tears, positive feedback and intense dialogue We inched our way into a deeper understanding of your teachings, your heart and your soul

We embraced you in our own distinct ways You did the same with us

Your lifetime of leadership centered in faith, activism and advocacy lives on as we take on challenges and celebrate victories

Your enduring belief in us and what we can accomplish inspires us to persevere in our lifelong journeys to believe in ourselves

Rabbi White, Rabbs, my dear friend Harold, you are us and we are you.

Written By Robin Leeds

An Exceptional Wedding Gift

I am certain that the hundreds of happy couples whose marriage ceremonies were performed by Rabbi White would all say that theirs was the most exceptional, and above and beyond anything they could or should have expected from a clergyman, or even a dear friend. But when you read my account, you will realize that the ceremony Rabbi White performed for my husband, Andy, and me, was the epitome of self-sacrifice and dedication.

Forty years ago, when my husband and I decided to marry, my folks, one of whom was foreign born, and both of whom, were "old school," were giving me a hard time about having a big fanfare, as I had an older sister who was unmarried. They also dictated that the ceremony had to take place on their turf-- in their living room up north in Margate, New Jersey, a five hour car ride away.

When I told Rabbi White, the Hillel Director at American University, where I had just graduated, all of my issues, he agreed to shlep up to New Jersey and perform the ceremony in order to appease my folks and keep peace in the family.

So on the morning of the first day of summer, June 21, 1975, Rabbi White, my future in-laws, Andy and I, all piled into his dad's old Buick, and drove up to New Jersey. As it was a Saturday, we had to wait until after sundown to have the actual ceremony. It was wonderful and memorable as all of Rabbi White's ceremonies were. We could really feel the "ruach," (spirit) as he chanted the "sheva bruchas" (wedding blessings) in his perfectly great off key voice in front of our minyan of ten. We had a little schnapps and cake and we all piled back into the car for the drive back to DC with my father-in-law at the wheel.

We must have had more than a little schnapps because we awoke in the car a few hours later, with my father in law still at the wheel. But we were hopelessly lost on a side rode somewhere in a rural area in South Jersey. It appeared that my father in law had taken a few wrong turns. This was in the days before GPS , and any nearby gas stations were all closed for the night.

After driving around for quite some time, we were finally able to get back on the road heading South. And in the wee hours of the morning, we dropped Rabbi White off at his house on Q Street.

One could say he was my "friend" and that's why he gave up a day in his life to spend the most important day of my life with me. But I feel he would have done the same thing for anyone who had asked, because that is the kind of friend we all had in Harold White.

We thank Harold for helping our Temple on the Eastern Shore

Fred and I got to know Harold through our relationships at Georgetown. He was the face of the Jewish community there and the most inspiring leader connecting people of all beliefs I have known. He married our sons -- both interfaith marriages -- in beautiful and appropriate ceremonies.

When we joined the tiny (then only 35 people) synagogue in Easton there was no rabbi here. We invited Harold to be our part-time rabbi and he came down to conduct services every other week. Thanks to his inspirational leadership and his personal warmth to every one he met, we soon grew to more than 200 people. When we were ready for a full-time resident rabbi Harold wasn't available -- his allegience was to Georgetown-- but his personal relationship with so many of us continued throughout the years. He visited often, staying with us and bring wisdom and humor to our table.

We will always miss you, Harold -- but you will always be part of our hearts and our faith.

Lesley Israel

I am one of the hundreds of people Rabbi White has helped. In 1970, when I was 19, I took a bus to Washington, DC to go to school. I didn't know anyone there. I rented a room in a boarding house. While going to school (or a protest) in that first month, I met a guy that needed a place to spend the night. I let that stranger stay on the floor in my room. The next day, I was evicted because I had let someone stay who had not paid rent. After spending a very unpleasant night on a park bench, I remembered that my former roommate at Bucknell University had mentioned that his best friend from high school was staying at the Georgetown University’s Rabbi's house. It was 2 blocks from the bench in DuPont Circle where I had spent the night. One of the students staying there let me in. When the Rabbi got home, I introduced myself and told him my dilemma. He explained that his house was full, but the next day the basement apartment would be vacant. He offered to let me spend that night on the rug in his room and then move in the basement apartment, which I did. The Rabbi offered me, a stranger, shelter the same way I had offered it two days earlier. Knowing the Rabbi changed my life. We have been friends for 45 years. It seems so obvious now, but it took me years to realize how my act of kindness that had me evicted was just part of God’s plan for me to meet Harold, who lived his life spreading kindness, knowledge and compassion. In the Bible’s New Testament, Hebrews 13:2 the author says, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." I am not an angel, and Harold did not have to learn this, but Harold just lived his life that way. I frequently say "the Rabbi is the most Christian person I know", by that I mean he lived his life the way Jesus wants us all to.

Smooth sailing, peace & love, my old friend,

John Maben

Department of Environmental Sciences

University of Virginia

Colleague and teacher

I have many memories of Rabbi White from my time in Campus Ministry -- and almost all of them involve him teaching me something about Jewish (and as often as not, Christian!) tradition. I am grateful to him for his openness and depth of knowledge. Rest in peace!

- Catherine Heinhold

Rabbi, Mentor, Friend

Rabbi White saw and celebrated the beauty of each individual. Where differences in background, philosophy, and religious beliefs often divide, he found common ground on which to build more than just bridges between diverse groups of people – his openness, warmth, and respect paved the way for lifelong bonds. I was introduced to Rabbi on the first weekend of my freshman year and quickly saw that, in the most colloquial sense, he had the status of a rock star. Whenever I visited him in his office the phone never stopped ringing¸ nor did his Healy doorway remain empty for long. Whether it was the excited crowd just returning from an Agape retreat surrounding him after we left dinner at 1789 or the horde gradually encircling him while we spoke in Red Square, his magnetic pull was undeniable. A charismatic and sincere person, his joy of life, love of music, and laughter were infectious.

Much has been said about Rabbi’s incredible human rights efforts and boundless generosity, in particular the way he rehabilitated those needing help and gave them a better future. Clearly, Rabbi taught by example, but it would be remiss not to also mention the powerful impact he had as a professor. I minored in theology largely because of him—and even once brought my grandmother to class so that she could experience what had been captivating me. Unsurprisingly, he got her to participate!

For nearly 20 years I have been blessed to learn from and be inspired by the wisdom, scholarship, enthusiasm, and friendship of Rabbi White. As with countless others, he cheered my successes and offered support in less enjoyable times, challenged my mind, and enriched my soul. Most recently, I was honored to attend his second Bar Mitzvah—it was filled with his own unique blend of music, poetry, and interfaith participation. Rav Avraham Kook, a favorite philosopher of Rabbi’s, could have been describing Harold White when he wrote, The pure righteous do not complain of the dark, but increase the light; they do not complain of evil, but increase justice; they do not complain of heresy, but increase faith; they do not complain of ignorance, but increase wisdom.

May his joy of life and love for others be a legacy.

Karen Greenwald CAS

I first met Rabbi White in 1966, when I was a senior at the University of Michigan and he was a rabbi with the campus Hillel. Even then he was involved in interfaith activities, teaching a course called “Marriage and the Family”, along with a priest and a minister, which was designed for students in interfaith relationships. I’m Jewish and was dating a Catholic woman. My mother was not happy. When my mother came to Michigan for my graduation, she met with Rabbi White to discuss this. Somehow, the relationship ended shortly thereafter. By coincidence, both the rabbi and I journeyed to the DC area a few years later. I had begun dating a Jewish woman and was looking for a place to attend High Holy Day services. I was thrilled to discover that Rabbi White was conducting them at American University, and had joined the faculty at Georgetown. So when we decided to marry, it seemed appropriate to ask Rabbi White to officiate. Our 1974 wedding took place at the top of a mountain, in a cabin known as the Teahouse in Gambrill State Park in Frederick County, Md. It was mid-October, and the changing colors offered a beautiful backdrop. But it was not exactly the setting for a traditional Jewish wedding. Marilynne, my fiancee, had invited her large extended Long Island family. Two of her aunts stood guard at the front door of the Teahouse, expressing their skepticism about the unconventional setting. Just then, an exterminator truck arrived, and this rather short cherubic guy jumped out of the passenger seat. “Who are you?” asked one of the incredulous aunts. With a positively beatific smile, the fellow replied “I’m the rabbi!”. “Oy vey! they gasped. Rabbi White’s car had broken down, and he had solicited a ride from a student who worked for a pest control company. Just before the ceremony began, the skies cleared, and Rabbi White united us under sunny skies and a lovely valley. We continued for many years to get inspiration from him during the High Holy Days. We’d renew acquaintances after services, and he’d fondly recall the "wedding story”. I’d like to think he played a large part in our lives and especially in our happy marriage.

Robert Sher

Rabbi Harold White was a life long friend and ultimately a colleague at GU. He knew Pat's grandparents in New Haven, CT. We were so excited to see him arrive on campus a year after Cliff was hired by Fr. Royden Davis to start the Dept. of Art, Music and Theatre in 1967. Right from the beginning, Harold supported that fledgling dept. through his love of the Arts. We remained close friends, seeing him frequently as our years on campus coincided. He knew our daughters from birth to their years as GU students. Nina, C'89 and Toby, C'93, enrolled in the Rabbi's many classes. They enjoyed the gifts Harold had as a teacher and they too,,became his friends. If you knew Harold, you were his friend forever, and always in his thoughts and prayers. Our relationship with Harold didn't end there. He performed a very special wedding ceremony for Nina and son-in law Robert in the intimate and beautiful Copley Crypt Chapel. A few years later he was one of three celebrants, Rabbi Harold, Rev.Charles Currie, SJ and Fr. James Flanigan, CSC of the University of Notre Dame, who together, performed the inter-faith wedding of our daughter Toby and her husband William. The three together made it more special than if the Three Tenors had performed. Harold loved it! Harold's memory and the love shown to our family will be cherished forever! Our thoughts and prayers are with Rabbi Harold White forever. Harold, may you rest in peace! We are all better people to have known you! Prof. Emeritus and Patricia Chieffo

I have been lucky to know Rabbi Harold for eight years. We became very dear friends through sailing in New England. I will miss our long conversations and times together. When I think of my dear friend I think kindness, caring and understanding, excitement, a traveler and most of all a friend to many. Miss You Harold!

Adrienne

Mother of Frankie & Grant

Known to me and my family simply as “Rabbi,” Harold was a dear friend and a great mentor to both my sons.They were troubled youths from a broken marriage, but he took them in and gave them love and guidance. When my younger son died in a car accident, Rabbi was heartbroken, for he had come to love him as if he were his own.

My sons were not the only ones Rabbi helped, however. I was amazed to learn that there were literally hundreds of people whom he had aided in one way or another through his many years of service. He truly was an amazing humanitarian.

I am not Jewish, nor is my family, but Rabbi didn’t care. When he visited our home we spent hours on end talking about metaphysics, philosophy, and the mysteries of life. And unlike most religious leaders I’ve met, he never preached or talked down to you. He treated everyone with respect and was always interested in whatever they had to say whether they were a colleague, a dignitary, or a criminal. We all loved him dearly and are deeply saddened by his passing. He will be missed immensely.

Carol Meyer

Rabbi White officiated at my wedding ceremony in 1989. I am Jewish and my husband is not. At the time, I believe that Rabbi White was the only rabbi in the D.C. area who would conduct interfaith marriages. My husband was very nervous about meeting with the rabbi because of all that he had heard about how the Jewish community was opposed to interfaith marriages. Rabbi White was completely accepting of our relationship. He put my husband at ease right away. His openness made my husband's entry into the Jewish community (we have raised three Jewish children) much easier. We have always been grateful to him for that and are very sorry to hear about his death.

Judy Galat

Remembering Rabbi White

Rabbi White was a wonderful, intelligent man. As a Jew who graduated from Georgetown, I was especially proud he was there. I very much enjoyed the class I took from him on Judaism as well.

Andrew

When my husband and I were newlyweds, we attended High Holiday services at American University and then at Georgetown. Not having to pay for tickets was our immediate reason for attending but then the reason quickly changed to wanting to be a part of Rabbi White's services. He was so inclusive, in his tone and in his actions and his services brought out so much more important meaning in a religion I had known all my life. When our daughter was born, Rabbi White came to our home to officiate at her naming. His place in a college atmosphere was perfect for him because he could speak to so many "inquiring minds" and make a difference to those trying to find a place in today's world. We will always have warm feelings toward this man and know how much he will be missed.

Janet and Russ Roseman

McLean, VA

I have had the privilege and honor to say that I knew Rabbi White since 1971; he was my professor for 6 courses and helped me understand my Islam by studying Judaism (much to the dismay of the university at the time), over the years he became also a mentor and a friend. Together we started a peace movement in DC before 1973 and we were both respectively criticized for our efforts by our people so we knew we were doing something right. He along with Father Gorge Golden performed the services at my wedding in 1983, talk about interfaith neither my wife or I were Jewish or Catholic but that did not matter to them, that’s what Georgetown taught us how to be.

Harold was an officer and a gentlemen having served with the Marines in Vietnam and yet went on to be an active antiwar activist. He helped any person in need regardless of then heritage.

The Rabbi had visited Cairo in 1974 and was planning a return visit this November

In all my travels I have never come across such a person who did the right thing regardless.

They saying goes “when a great man dies it’s as if a library has been burned” Harold’s spirit will live on by all those he touched. Shalom

Hesham El Abd in Cairo

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In the early 1980s my husband to be and I (both GU faculty) were delighted to discover Rabbi White one fall day at Gaston Hall during the High Holy Days services. Love and light filled the hall generating from the rabbi's leadership and wisdom. When we decided to marry, Harold guided us with our plans. In his office, he shared a treasured collection of frogs. With his unique sense of humor and encouragement, we planned the wedding. He recited poems from the Song of Songs ("I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine) emphasizing the love between the two of us as well as the divine relationship. Whenever I hear the Song of Songs, I remember it in Harold's voice. Most of all, Harold encouraged us to accept responsibility and take action. He taught that the actions taken in a marriage ceremony, such as breaking the glass, remind us to take action every day. These actions are what lead to "repair of the world." I am grateful to have known Harold and treasure his voice which continues to sing poetically. May his memory be a blessing.

Lynne Foltz

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-katz-miller/elegy-for-rabbi-harold-wh_b_8073432.html?utm_hp_ref=interfaith

Susan Katz Miller

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