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1936
2012
Dr. John M. Sherwood, 76, of Oxnard, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012, following a long illness.
Dr. Sherwood was born April 15, 1936, in New York City. Dr. John M. Sherwood, B.A., B. H. L., M. A. H. L., D.D., was Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emet of Woodland Hills, Calif., where he served as Senior Rabbi for 22 years. Early in his career, he was the first reform rabbi in western Canada, and taught in the religious studies department of the University of British Columbia. For six years he was an adjunct professor of pastoral studies at St. John's Roman Catholic Seminary in Camarillo. A graduate of the Los Angeles Police Academy advanced chaplaincy course, he was a chaplain and crisis intervention counselor for the Department from 1982 to 1997. His colleagues elected him coordinator of the chaplain corps in 1995.
He was a past president of the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, and the author of a High Holy Day prayer book and a number of creative Haggadahs. He has written many articles on liturgy and the relationship of Jewish and Christian ceremonial observances. One of his favorite community projects was working with the priest- rabbi dialogue committee that was jointly sponsored by the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and the Archdiocese of Southern California.
Upon his retirement from the pulpit, he qualified as a personal fitness trainer in order to develop a motivational program bringing mind, body and spirit together. His interest in computers has led him to pursuing intellectual interests all over the world through the internet. He was a frequent respondent to the Union for Reform Judaism's "Ask the Rabbi" website, and that of Jewish.com, and a regular contributor to the Liberal Jewish Newsletter.
When not following his academic pursuits, he enjoyed travel with his wife, Dolores. These journeys, coupled with his passion for scenic photography, have led to the creation of his slide lecture series entitled "Judaism Around the World, from Budapest to Bangkok and Back." His biography appears in the Marquis Who's Who in Religion in America, as well as several other similar publications.
Since moving to Oxnard, he has become a chaplain for the Ventura County Fire and Rescue Department, was a member and chairperson of both the Oxnard Clergy Association and the Ventura Interfaith Ministerial Association. He led the two organizations to joint sponsorship of a new program for the west county in interfaith education. He and his wife, Dolores, served for three years as chair and vice-chair of the Oxnard City Sea Air Community Council, now as members at-large. He has been active in environmental causes, specifically the Save our Open space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) movement. He was also a professor for Elderhostel.
He has served on the executive committee of a study group created by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor John Flynn. The group was known as "Society Ecology Economy Ventura County Vision." The Board of Supervisors also appointed him to the newly created County Election Finance Ethics Commission, of which his colleagues elected him vice chair, in which position he served for two years. He serves on the Institutional Review Board of St. John's Regional Medical Center. In addition, he serves as co-chair of the Oxnard Police-Clergy Council. He was a member of the Oxnard Community Relations Commission. He was a recipient of the California Central Coast Anti-Defamation League Distinguished Community Service Award.
Rabbi Sherwood is survived by his wife, Dolores; his children, Jay, Robert, Bruce, June and Wendy; and eight grandchildren.
Services will be held 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Kimball Road, Ventura, with Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.
Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Beth Torah.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Rabbi John married my husband Ken and I forty-two years ago. Before Ken passed two years ago, we often used to look through our wedding photo album and smile and laugh about Rabbi John´s unique way of conducting a wedding ceremony. I feel blessed to have known him, even for just a short while. My condolences to his family.
Laurel Romm
Friend
December 12, 2022
Gone but not forgotten
Rhoda Scrivner
Friend
April 12, 2019
I have just learned of his passing. I spent time in Ventura and worked with Rabbi John in his interfaith ministry. He was such a wonderful person who brought richness and wonderful humor to the work. My heart holds great fondness for the memories of the time I spent with him.
Deanne Quarrie
December 17, 2012
I will miss my friend Rabbi John Sherwood very much. He improved my self esteem immeasurably by his counsel. I am grateful to have known him. My condolences to his family.
Karen Cilman
August 18, 2012
I have written to Rabbi John on several occasions through the Liberal Judiasm Mailing LIst. Although we never met, he was always friendly and helpful. The world has lost a great Jewish scholar and the Liberal Jewish community has lost a great leader. Sherwin Rubin, Arlington, Texas
May 3, 2012
April 27, 2012
Very sorry to hear of John's passing. I knew him at the City College of New York where he & I were members of Alpha Phi Omega. He was a great brother. My condolences to his family.
Arthur M. Schlesinger '58
Somerville NJ
Arthur M Schlesinger
April 29, 2012
As my boys would say we just lost "the short guy who knew so much" and who made us think so deeply. Such a huge loss, too soon. Our hearts go out to all of you and thank you so much for sharing him with our family. Tim, Cindy, Franklin & Nathan Hansen (TBT)
Tim, Cindy & boys Hansen
April 21, 2012
Our whole comunity has sufered a great loss, my condolences to Rabbi John's widow, Elaine, his children, family and friends.
Carmen Ramirez
April 20, 2012
Rabbi Sherwood was one of our heroes for his tireless efforts to make the world a better place. But for a scheduling conflict he would have officiated at our wedding. We miss Rabbi Sherwood, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Lauren & Al Schwartz
April 20, 2012
Our condolences to the Sherwood family. May his life be a blessed memory.
Linda & Harvey M. Tapper, Past Master 2006.
We were members of Temple Emet and Linda was Aldult Bat Mitzvah by him. Also, we know him through Marriage Encounter.
Linda & Harvey Tapper
April 20, 2012
I am so very sorry to hear of Rabbi Sherwood's passing. He organized the Marriage Encounter weekend to which my wife, Chris, and I went, and he was a huge comfort to me when my wife died. Later he officiated at my Dad's funeral also. I knew him from his first days at Temple Emet - he was always very caring and helpful in times of need. Even though I now live in Israel I shall always be sad knowing that he is gone. Rest in peace, Rabbi. My sincerest condolences to the entire family.
Rick Berg
Nili, Israel
Dr. Richard A. Berg
April 20, 2012
Rabbi Sherman Bar Mitzvahed both my sons at Temple Emet, , married me, performed at my husbands funeral and then remarried me again. He shareda lot with me and I will always be greatful for him. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace. Know he will be missed. Rhoda Scrivner, Reseda, CA
Rhoda Scrivner
April 20, 2012
I first met Rabbi Sherman in 1961 when he was a student Rabbi at La Crescenta Jewish Center. He was my premier Hebrew teacher and instilled in me a life of Jewish learning. He later officiated at my wedding and chose my 1st born son's Hebrew name 12 years later. After my moving to Ventura County, it was a pleasure to visit with him again. His passing is of great sadness to me.
Deborah Katler
April 20, 2012
I first met Rabbi Sherwood in 1961 when he was a student Rabbi at La Crescenta Jewish Center. He was my premier Hebrew teacher and instilled in me a life of Jewish learning. He later officiated at my wedding and named my 1st-born son 12 years later. He will always be a part of my life - his passing saddens me.
Deborah Katler
April 20, 2012
Rabbi Sherwood was my rabbi at Temple Emet when I was growing up. I had my Bat Mitzvah and graduation under his guidance. He was my rabbi when I was married; he was the only rabbi I wanted to perform that blessing. He was a great man and I will always remember him fondly.
Susan Friend
April 20, 2012
Our heartfelt condolences to your family from ours...Mark and Eleanor Richman
April 20, 2012
Rabbi Sherwood officiated at our daughter's bat mitzvah at Temple Emet, he officiated at my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary vow renewal, and in 2008 officiated at our daughter's wedding. He was a special man who will be greatly missed.
Marilyn and Jack Silver
April 19, 2012
Rabbi, you meet Brother Allen Price, in a wonderful place. He loved you with all his heart, The Brethren of Home Lodge 721 are hearts go out to the family.
Brother, Fred Price
April 19, 2012
John played a very important part in our lives. We wouldn't be together today if it wasn't for him. I've known him since he first came to Temple Emet. What a wonderful man! He will live in our hearts forever.
Polly and Dan Voorhees
April 19, 2012
Baruch Dayan Haemes. My family belonged to Temple Emet in Woodland Hills in the 1970s and 1980s. Rabbi Sherwood was my Rabbi! He helped instill in me a strong, enduring and very meaningful Jewish identity. When my grandfather passed away I was about 8 years old, and I remember Rabbi Sherwood and Elaine coming to our home for shiva. Rabbi Sherwood later took me to the cemetery - just he and I - and he talked with me about death and my grandfather's passing. Rabbi Sherwood and Cantor Ellis later taught me my Bar Mitzvah parsha and of course officiated at my Bar Mitzvah. Rabbi Sherwood's family is in our thoughts and prayers and we wish them strength, comfort and peace at this difficult time. May Rabbi Sherwood's memory be for a blessing.
Mitch Fogelman
April 19, 2012
Rabbi John was a very modest man ~ only now do we learn the full extent of his life and his intellect... he was a joy to spend time with; I deeply treasure the memories of being in his company. He was indeed a living blessing.
Theadora Davitt-Cornyn
April 19, 2012
My condolences to Rabbi John's family. Such a compassionate and valiant soul. I feel a very personal loss of a friend and mentor.
Teresa Meehan
April 19, 2012
Rabbi John Sherwood and his late wife Elaine played a pivotal role in our lives when they helped find a child for us to adopt. They only knew our friends, who were members of Temple Emet, who told John and Elaine that we were seeking to adopt. They followed through and did, indeed, find a newborn for us. We later joined Temple Emet and made many lifelong friends. We offer our sincerest condolences.
Herb and Sandy Zweig, Woodland Hills
April 19, 2012
Sincere condolences to the Sherwood family. John was a gift to the community and blessed with a brilliant mind. His memory is a blessing.
Victoria Helton
April 19, 2012
Rabbi John was truly a scholar and a gentleman. He let his faith inform his actions and his politics, truly believing in equality, justice, fairness and the protection of the powerless. He will be missed for his humor, his intelligence, his knowledge, his boundless enthusiasm and his love for his wife, family, congregation and faith. He leaves behind many friends and I know we are all going to miss him terribly.
Janis Knight
April 19, 2012
I never met Rabbi Sherwood but he was my Masonic Brother and from my lodge: Home Lodge 721. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of such a distinguished member of the community. God Bless our departed Brother.
Michael David
April 19, 2012
My condolences to Rabbi John's family. He was a wonderful man and my wife and I were honored to have him perform our marriage ceremony.
Travis Garrett
April 19, 2012
John Sherwood was a friend and a mentor. I will miss his wild enthusiasm as well as his spot-on intellectual insights!
Alan Greenbaum
April 19, 2012
I feel a great personal loss wih the passing of Rabbi John. He introduced me into the Jewish community of TBT and, in effect, brought me home. He was both a mentor and a beloved friend and I will miss him dearly. My deepest and most heartful condolences go out to Dolores, the children and grandchildren.
Susan Zaks
Ventura, Ca.
April 19, 2012
I am so sorry to read of Rabbi Sherwood's passing. He was a source of comfort to both my husband and I during a very difficult time. He called both of us everyday and kept our spirits up. We send our condolences to his family. May Rabbi Sherwood rest in peace.
April 19, 2012
I was in contact with the Rabbi John through the "Ask a rabbi" feature. I enjoyed our conversations and will continue to read all he recommended to me. My condolences to his family.
Stacy
April 19, 2012
Rabbi John's passing is a tremendous loss to so many communities. We have lost a Rabbi, a teacher and a very good friend. Thank you friend for your inspiration, you will be missed. Martha M. Richardson
Martha Richardson
April 19, 2012
The Rabbi was at Temple Emet when my children got Bat and Bar Mitzvah. Many years later I was talking to the Rabbi about losing my spirtuality and what to do. His direction was very helpful and I have passed the advise to others.
He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Helaine Lieberman
April 19, 2012
Rabbi John was a very modest man ~ only now do we learn the full extent of his life and his intellect... he was a joy to spend time with; I deeply treasure the memories of being in his company. He was indeed a living blessing.
Theadora Davitt-Cornyn
April 19, 2012
With reference to the passing of Rabbi John Sherwood: Please express my sadness and sympathy to Dolores and his children. I have fond memories of
John and Dolores, and want the family to know I will hold them in my heart.
KARYN FOLEY
April 19, 2012
Rabbi John Sherwood will always be remembered as a spiritual leader for all who live in Oxnard. He was in every way an intellectual for our community yet he could identify with everyone from every walk of life. He helped me during my supervisor days as a mentor and spiritual advisor. He give me a blessing at a retirement function. I shall remember him with respect and adoration. He and Dolores graced Oxnard with their presence.
john flynn
April 19, 2012
My name is Judith Rosenberg and I am a member of Beth Torah. I always enjoyed Rabbi John's contributions to the Torah portion discussions on Shabbat mornings.
He will be missed by many people.
My condolences to the family. Judith
April 19, 2012
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