Rabbi B. Charles Herring

Rabbi B. Charles Herring—known to many as Chuck—was born on January 26, 1939, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to Lucille and Abe Herring. He passed away on January 5, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of service, learning, and love that touched generations.

Chuck grew up in Pittsburgh, attending Wightman Elementary School, where he proudly served on Safety Patrol, and Taylor Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill. A gifted student with wide-ranging interests, he studied Latin, Spanish, and German and was a member of Alpha Tau Fraternity. His favorite class was Dramatic English, where he starred in the school production of Harvey. Chuck later attended the University of Pittsburgh (where he liked to joke that he remained one credit short of graduation) and was a proud member of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity.

Drawn to Jewish life and learning, Chuck continued his studies at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. His student pulpits took him to communities across the country, including New Iberia/Morgan City, Louisiana; Sarasota, Florida; Martinsburg, West Virginia; and Charleroi/Monessen, Pennsylvania. He was ordained as a rabbi on May 28, 1965, at Plum Street Synagogue in Cincinnati.

Chuck met the love of his life, Barbara, during high school through Temple Youth Group, where they both served as presidents. Their first date was at the Cinerama theater—“and the rest,” as Chuck and Barbara liked to say, “was history.”

Following ordination, Chuck entered the United States Air Force as a chaplain and was stationed in Tachikawa, Japan. He served members in South Korea, Taiwan, and northern Japan. One of his proudest moments was leading a group up Mount Fuji, where they planted a flag for the Jewish Welfare Board. His treasured Fuji walking stick accompanied him on many later hikes in Arizona.

After completing his military service, Chuck interviewed for rabbinic positions around the country and found himself drawn to the Southwest. During a visit to Arizona, he shared a beer with Rabbi Albert Plotkin at Reata Pass. Watching the sun set, Chuck knew he had found home.

In 1968, he began his first pulpit as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Beth Israel in Phoenix. There, he poured his energy into building the youth program (BITY), strengthening religious education, and creating a welcoming and inclusive community. He wrote original Purim spiels, developed contemporary worship services for Friday nights and the High Holidays, and cherished his summers as Rabbi-in-Residence at Camp Charles Pearlstein.

Chuck later became the founding rabbi of Temple Kol Ami. He worked closely with architect Will Bruder on the synagogue’s design. He created an innovative four-year rotating religious school curriculum so that no child repeated a lesson during that cycle. He also pioneered an eighth-grade class taught jointly to parents and children—a model he began at Temple Beth Israel and continued at Kol Ami.

Guided by a deep sense of justice and compassion, Chuck lived the message of the Book of Jonah. He was a tireless advocate for Soviet Jewry, organizing supply drives and helping families resettle in Phoenix. He stood with migrant farmworkers in the lettuce fields and marched alongside César Chávez. He raised thousands of dollars for local food banks and helped establish Mitzvah Corps and Camp Swift, welcoming hundreds of inner-city children to experience the joy of summer camp. After 9/11, Chuck reached out to the Muslim community in Greater Phoenix, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding during a time of fear and division. Among his most cherished moments were welcoming friends and strangers alike into his home to share meals in the sukkah.

A gifted teacher, Chuck inspired children, teens, and adults alike. His sermons—lovingly referred to as “Divine Messages”—were thoughtful, personal, and memorable. He officiated hundreds of B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies and took special pride in offering each student a personal blessing at the ark, often reminding them they were “the one and only” for him. He was deeply involved in SWFTY and NFTY, authored experiential youth programs, and delighted in attending and leading teens to regional and national conventions. Of his many honors, he was especially proud to receive the Samuel Cook Award for Lifetime Service to Jewish Youth from the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 2003. In retirement, he continued to serve by leading services at Westminster Village and teaching monthly classes in Judaic history.

Chuck had an abiding love of learning. He was an avid reader, a devoted history enthusiast, and a passionate genealogist who delighted in uncovering and sharing family stories. He loved classical music, gardening, cooking, Asian art, and antiques—each reflecting his curiosity and appreciation for beauty.

Above all, Chuck’s greatest joy was the life he built with Barbara, whom he married on August 27, 1961. Together, they raised three daughters—Laura, Wendy, and Deborah—and filled their home with traditions, storytelling, and long, meaningful conversations around the table. Chuck proudly embraced his role as “Bubba,” the beloved grandfather.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughters, Laura Greenland (Paul), Wendy Herring (Scott Ambrose), and Deborah Rovin (Scott); and his grandchildren Alison (Alex), Jorey (Alex), Ross, Zack, Max, and Gabrielle. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, Bubba, and a rabbi whose wisdom, humor, and compassion shaped countless lives.

Chuck wrote the following passage:
"When my day comes, I will give the most credit to all of you, a great deal to my wife, and only a tiny bit to me. Did I deal honestly and with integrity? I hope so. Did I set aside specific times to study? Absolutely so. Did I procreate? I know so! Did I engage in holy conversations? You know so. Did I hope for better worlds? More so. And, finally, did I acquire sufficient knowledge to allow me to understand one thing from another? I think so. And I pray you think so too."
Rabbi B. Charles Herring - 2006