Rabbi Samuel G. Broude

1924 - 2020

BORN

1924

DIED

2020

About

University of Chicago

Samuel Broude Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Rabbi Samuel G. Broude
Start: 2020-01-30T03:30:00.000Z
Location: Temple Sinai

Rabbi Samuel G. Broude

Mar 21, 1924 - Jan 24, 2020

Rabbi Samuel G. Broude passed away on Friday, January 24th in Oakland three days after the passing of Judith Broude, his beloved wife of nearly 70 years. Born in Chicago, Samuel graduated from the University of Chicago and subsequently, the Hebrew Union College rabbinic seminary.

A keen intellectual, Samuel was the consummate scholar, teacher, and storyteller with a commanding presence and an uncanny ability to make those around him feel at ease. From his first congregation at Cleveland's Fairmount Temple to Temple Sinai in Oakland where he led as Senior Rabbi, Samuel embodied a dedication to Jewish values. His life was marked by social activism and a passion for supporting marginalized members of society. Through his leadership during the civil rights and Vietnam War movements, he personified living a life dedicated to bettering the world.

He met the love of his life, Judith, almost 70 years ago and in his words was immediately smitten. Their lives were intertwined since day one--rarely did they spend time apart over the course of their marriage.

During Judith's burial on Friday, Samuel suffered a stroke and passed shortly thereafter. Judith and Samuel leave behind their adoring children, Micah (Janet), and Marla (Bernie Stein). Omi and Grandpa will forever be in the hearts of their three grandchildren: Danielle Yokell (Abe), Allison Friedberg (Dave), Jacob Stein and four great-grandchildren, Brooke and Brody Yokell, and Meghan and Zoe Friedberg. Immense appreciation to their devoted doctors and caregivers. A memorial service will be held in both Judith and Sam's memory at Temple Sinai on Wednesday, January 29th at 7:30 pm. Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland, CA 94609.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Broude

3 Entries

Karen Marker

January 29, 2020

This is such a tremendous loss for me and for our community. A truly great soul and an inspiration as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, musician, poet, and spiritual leader. I will be forever grateful to Rabbi Broude for his wise counsel at a dark time, for the attention he gave to my creative efforts, for the profound depth he brought to the Yizkor services, and for the love and joy he brought to all whose lives he touched.

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bruce benson

January 28, 2020

Dear Sam.
The first time we met was in your office in May of 1981. It was around 6 weeks before I transplanted myself to Oakland to begin one of the great adventures of my life.
We sat in your office sizing each other up as potential clergy partners. I saw a man of enormous kindness, a smile that showed a wonderfully playful man-child was underneath the tufts of gently graying hair and the veneer created by those sparkling eyes.
You said to me, Cantor, if you take this job, one thing you must know about me from the start: Im a crier- I cry at weddings, baby namings and almost all life cycle events. You just need to know that.
With all earnestness that I could accumulate I responded, Rabbi- if I accept this job there is one thing you need to know about me-( I hesitated for only a second and continued)- I already know that about you. We both laughed and the journey had begun.

From that day on, my life was changed. You allowed me to try so many things, the kind elder statesman who let the young Cantor starting his career imagine and attack possibilities many never would have allowed. You werent always sure what it was I was doing or imagining, but you almost never said no- you allowed me the presence and possibility to try and stretch our beloved liturgy and trusted I would never embarrass our Bima.
You told me once, you didnt always understand what I was trying to do because it was a different generation, You were clear that when I wanted to challenge the liturgy of Erev Shabbat by creating a Shabbat Evening Jazz Fusion service with my friend, KENNYG, you asked me, whats JAZZ_FUSION?. Im not sure my explanation was coherent enough, but you trusted that, whatever it was, I would never embarrass either of us or the bima we both loved so much.
You always smiled and with a smiling shrug, encouraged me to charge an.

The trajectory of my life was moved by your kindness, willingness to be open, to explore and imagine what could be done if we allowed our spirits to soar.

My life, and the lives of oh so many were touched by the sparkle in your eyes, the giggle that brought your hand to your mouth to cover your delight .The joy you brought to the congregation I was blessed that you were so willing to let me share with you.

I never really imagined you with your beloved Judith. How deeply in love you were that you willed yourself to leave us at the same instant she did.
Be well my Rabbi, my friend. Our lives were blessed by you. thank you for touching my life. The honor was mine as is the loss. The sadness I feel is proof that you were all I believed you were.
Travel safe and, with Judith at your side, may God be with you both.

Rabbi/Cantor Bruce Benson
Cantor, Temple Sinai 1981-1987