ARNOLD SHER

SHER--Rabbi Arnold I. Rabbi Arnold I. Sher, age 89, of Fairfield, CT, and Stockbridge, MA, died on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Rabbi Sher was the longest serving Director of Placement of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and was responsible for the placement of Reform rabbis and for advising rabbis and congregations regarding employment and governance matters. At its 119th Convention, the CCAR honored Sher as fulfilling Mishna's admonition "Get yourself a rabbi and acquire for yourself a friend." He was also instrumental in the publication of Mishkan T'fila, the Reform Movement's prayer book. Rabbi Sher served for 22 years as the spiritual leader and later Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation B'nai Israel, Bridgeport, CT. He was a graduate of Williams College, Williamstown, MA, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, OH where he was ordained Rabbi, and was later awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree. Sher received his Juris Doctor from the Bridgeport University School of Law. Rabbi Sher is survived by his wife Serena, his sister Isobel Palson of Medfield, MA, and his former wife Eve Rubin Sher of Fairfield, CT. His wife Judith Brav Sher predeceased him. Rabbi Sher is also survived by his children Michael (and Julia) Sher of Hartland, VT, Jeffrey (and Robin) Sher of Williamstown, MA, Jennifer (and Salvatore) Birrittella of Telluride, CO, and his stepdaughters Marci (and David) Bloch of Silver Spring, MD, Elizabeth Russell of Fairfield, CT, and Rebekah Zincavage of Watertown, MA. Rabbi and Mrs. Sher's blended family includes 12 grandchildren: Olivia Sher (Matthew Haas), Daniel Sher, Schuyler Sher, Annie Sher, Lily Sher, Stanley Birrittella, Joshua Bloch, Daniella Bloch, and Naomi Bloch, Caroline Russell, and Andrew Russell. Funeral Services will be held at Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604, on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 1:30pm, with burial to follow at the Congregation's cemetery located at 245 Kings Highway East in Fairfield, CT. A reception following the burial will be held at Congregation B'nai Israel at 3:15pm. Shiva will be held at the home of Serena Sher, in Fairfield, CT, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, September 23-25, 2024 from 6pm to 8pm.