BURT SIEGEL

SIEGEL--Burt Aaron. Burt Aaron Siegel, beloved founding Rabbi of The Shul of New York, died on July 20, surrounded by his son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and members of the Shul community who sang and recited prayers as he drew his last breath. He was 85. Born in Milwaukee to immigrant parents from Poland and Lithuania, at age five he felt called to be a Rabbi. Educated at Yeshiva University, the University of Wisconsin, and Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, he served as rabbi at Riverdale Temple before continuing his lifelong spiritual quest by exploring Buddhist, Hindu, and Hasidic practices. Officiating at a wedding at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, a former synagogue founded on the Lower East Side in 1849, led to his 1999 launching of The Shul of New York, A Synagogue for Spiritual Judaism. Believing that religion should be a force that unifies people of all faiths through love, Rabbi Burt welcomed people of all creeds, ethnicities, and sexual identities ("from Atheists to Zoroastrians"). Finding deep meaning in the wisdom of the Torah and rabbinical commentaries, he sought to understand and interpret Jewish traditions in ways that spoke to present- day realities. A memorial will be held at the Orensanz Foundation in early September. For more information about Rabbi Siegel's life, ways to become involved, or make a donation in his memory, please visit the Shul's website: www.shulofny.org The entire Shul of New York Community cherishes his life and memory as a blessing.