BAUMGARD, HERBERT, passed away on April 15, 2016. He had an amazing and long life. Devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, he was a prolific author of many books and just recently finished writing another. As chairman of the Dade County Community Relations Board, he worked tirelessly to improve interfaith and interracial relations. He served as president of the Synagogue Council of America, the largest Jewish organization comprised of all the branches of Judaism and met personally with Pope John Paul II when he visited Miami. He was a world class scholar who specialized in the Hebrew Prophets. He attended the University of Virginia and went on to Columbia University Law School, where he was captain of the debate team. During World War II, he served as a chaplain's assistant and realized that he wanted to be a rabbi. Upon discharge he went to HUC-JIR in New York and was ordained in 1950. He moved to Miami in 1955 and was the founding Rabbi of Temple Beth Am where he served for over 30 years and built into one of the largest and most significant reform synagogues in America. He was predeceased by Selma, his loving wife of 63 years. He is survived by his children Jonathan (Wendy) Baumgard, Shira (Fred) Garvett, and Daniel (Lori) Baumgard, his grand-children Jason Baumgard, Dara (Chris) Mosquera, Jeremy Garvett, Ari Garvett, Josh Baumgard, and Michelle Baumgard, and by his great-grandsons, Nathan and Noah Mosquera. He also is survived by his sisters, Loyce (Jerry) Robinson and Ritty Margulies. He will always be loved and missed. Services will be held on Sunday, April 17, at 1 pm at Temple Beth Am.

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Published by the Miami Herald on Apr. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Herbert Baumgard

19 Entries

May 12, 2016

My dad was a warm, soft spoken, smart smart man. He was a man with a real soul. He truly wanted to help people.Im told that he had a way of talking with you that made you feel like you were the only one in the world. It has been said to me, in these last few weeks, that people called him over and over again for advice and help, and that he gave it without prejudice and or judgement of the situation. Im proud to be his son. i hope to be more like him. db

Rose Lynn

April 28, 2016

OH MY, Rabbi Baumgard worked with me for a year to get me through preparation for my Bat Mitzvah before the temple had broken ground. What a special man and a special time for me. May all concerned find comfort in knowing how special he was!

April 23, 2016

Sincere condolences goes out to the Baumgard family for your sad loss. May GOD be with the family as you mourn your loss.

April 20, 2016

My sincere condolences. May you and your family find comfort in God's words written in Psalm 9:9.

April 18, 2016

My condolences. May you find comfort knowing that God is near you and is a refuge during this difficult time.
Psalms 9:9

Patti Abel Benaim

April 18, 2016

Condolences to the family. Rabbi Baumguard married us almost 45 years ago & we have great memories of him. Patti and Bob Benaim

April 18, 2016

My condolences. May you find comfort knowing that God is near you and is a refuge during this difficult time.
Psalms 9:9

Jennifer Steinberg

April 18, 2016

My father, Arthur Steinberg, was your dad's first assistant rabbi at Beth Am. They have stayed in touch all of these years and most recently visited together in February, while my father was in Miami visiting me. My father died April 10 in Portsmouth, VA, and I called yours (not knowing he was ill) several times before hearing the sad news. I know from speaking to my father that yours was an incredible mentor and teacher. He had great respect for your father. I, myself, enjoyed your parents' pool and ice creams in the early 1970's. My very deepest condolences.

Very fond memories - RIP Rabbi.

Jeffrey Alman

April 17, 2016

Staci and Jon Blatt

April 17, 2016

Condolences to the family. He lived a long life and was blessed with a large family.
We met, dated and married at Temple Beth Am...Rabbi Baumgard married us 40 years ago! He has a special place in our hearts.
Staci (Wise) and Jon Blatt

April 17, 2016

Our sincere condolences to the Baumgard and Garvett families.
~ Gary Feder and Nancy Tobin
~ Coral Gables, FL

Kathy Waldman Dupree

April 16, 2016

If one obtains immortality by his works and teachings, Rabbi Baumgard will live eternally. My deepest sympathies to the family.

Jackie Rose

April 16, 2016

Rabbi Baumgard was a great part of our family's life. Our four daughters had their Bar Mitzvahs with Rabbi Baumgard and married them. He renewed Al and my wedding vows when we were married 25 years. He and Selma attended many of our family's Happy celebrations. We will miss them both.

Charlye Rossin

April 16, 2016

What a gem! What a privilege to have been there to hear and see GODS SERVANT on this earth.. When Rabbi Baumgard walked in to the sanctuary I felt that GOD was there holding the rabbis hand and he guided us accordingly.. I send my prayers and tears for you all will miss his blessings now.. I hope your broken hearts will heal as soon as the salt of those tears get wiped.. This life is just a short time.. Forever Herbert will be.. Amen. Charlye Rossin

Tania Cruz

April 16, 2016

Jonathan, we were at South Miami Middle School way backwhen. I join the rest of the Miami community in extending my thoughts at this difficult time.

GERALD SCHWARTZ

April 16, 2016

we were early members of temple beth am where gerald served on board of directors.rabbi baumgard and selma were effective and caring leaders of our congregation and helped its dramatic growth. rabbi helped with almost every zionist cause and was a leader in the intertfaith community.
GERALD AND FELICE SCHWARTZ

April 16, 2016

please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. We hope that the scripture in Romans chapter 15 verse 13 brings Comfort to you during this difficult time. Sincerely Bob and Jeannie from Orlando Florida

Allan & Pat Bonilla

April 16, 2016

What a wonderful life he had! He was a part of the lives of so many families. He married one of our sons and bar mitzvahed our other son. We will always remember him.

Steven Schwartzman

April 16, 2016

What a great man
I knew him all my life and it was an honor to have known and be taught by him
Peace to the baumguard family

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