November 25, 2024
The Central Conference of American Rabbis grieves the death of Rabbi Jonathan Stein, on Shabbat, November 22, 2024. Rabbi Stein led the CCAR with distinction as its president from 2011 to 2013. Rabbi Stein was revered throughout the Reform Jewish world, particularly at the three congregations he served: Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego, and Congregation Shaaray Tefila in New York City.
Rabbi Stein led the CCAR at a time of significant transition in the Reform Movement. He advocated strongly and successfully for Reform Jewish values, for integrity, for rabbinic leadership, and for each of our legacy institutions. He took advantage of living and serving in New York at the time of his CCAR presidency to provide regular counsel and support to the presidents of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, just as he did for the chief executive of the CCAR.
Prior to his service as president, Rabbi Stein served as the editor of the CCAR Journal: The Reform Jewish Quarterly and as co-chair of the CCAR’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Human Sexuality. He was a noted scholar and was widely published. He consistently advocated for uncompromising support for the State of Israel.
Rabbi Stein was treasured by a close circle of friends in the rabbinate. He was cherished as a mentor, colleague, and friend to so many.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis extends deepest sympathies to Susan, Jonathan’s devoted wife of fifty-five years; to their daughters, Rachel and Jessica; to their grandchildren; and to all of his congregational families and his legions of friends, within and beyond the rabbinate.
The memory of Rabbi Jonathan Stein is a blessing.
Rabbi Erica Asch, President
Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive
Rabbi Steven A. Fox, Chief Executive Emeritus
Central Conference of American Rabbis