Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Brooklyn College Columbia University

PAUL SIEGEL Obituary

SIEGEL--Rabbi Paul R.,

who was the Senior Rabbi for Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, NY for 43 years, died peacefully Sunday at Village Care in New York City. He was 91 years old. Rabbi Siegel was born in Baltimore, MD, on March 6, 1924, his parents recently having emigrated from Safed, Israel. In 1948 Rabbi Siegel was ordained by his teacher, friend and mentor, Rabbi Steven Wise at the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. That same year, he married Lorraine Peltz in a ceremony officiated by Rabbi Wise. In addition to receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Brooklyn College, Rabbi Siegel received a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from Columbia University. Rabbi Siegel served as a chaplain in the Air Force during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Captain, and then began his long and distinguished career as the Rabbi for Temple Beth Abraham. During his tenure there, he led both conservative and reform services, in two different chapels within the same building, to honor tradition as well as innovation. Rabbi Siegel was in the vanguard of the Reform Jewish movement, having been instrumental in establishing interfaith services in Tarrytown and ensuring the equality of men and women in the synagogue. In 1976 Rabbi Siegel was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Siegel was known for his kindness, generosity of spirit, keen intelligence and ability to skillfully yarn a story or joke to capture the meaning or absurdity of any conceivable situation. Rabbi Siegel is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Dr. Lorraine Siegel, and his three children, Frederic Siegel of Briarcliff Manor, NY, Deborah Zoller of Allentown, PA, and Arthur Siegel of Albany, NY (his loving son, Joshua Siegel, having predeceased him). Also surviving are his grandchildren Evan, Jeremy, Matty, Mallory, Sarah Zoller Levinson and Rachel Zoller Lipsman.

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

Published by New York Times on Oct. 6, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for PAUL SIEGEL

Sponsored by Phyllis and David Toub.

16 Entries

Sandy Grossman

August 25, 2023

Rabbi Siegel was our rabbi and a close family from as we lived around the corner from them. He officiated at the bar mitzvah of my older brother, myself & my twin. He was our spiritual leader who helped our family through a very traumatic period a couple of years before we moved to Florida. After returning many years later for a short visit, the rabbi & his wife welcomed me into their home for a short visit, no way could I have traveled so far & not stopped by to bring them up to speed as that by then, I was a father of three myself. They graciously invited me in & we had a nice visit just catching up.
I know they are both resting in peace, and I truly am thankful for the part they both played in making me the person I am today!

Eric Blachman

May 18, 2021

Rabbi Siegel and I were neighbors from 1965 - 1973, and those certainly were interesting times. As a coming of age high school student I was increasingly aware of social, political, and philosophical issues and questions during those times , and the Rabbi, perhaps unwittingly, moved me along the path of asking questions. I say asking question, yet I was less passionate in my own quest for answers - from early adolescence I knew questions were always more important, answers are meant to be elusive.
The Rabbi asked one question over and over through those years..." without the 10 commandments don't you think the world would be a worse place, wouldn't we indeed struggle and not know right from wrong?" My surprise was with the thought that this was even a pertinent question to begin with, as a secular Jew and becoming increasingly aware of a priori natures and "knowledge" the question remains very much not to the point. I speak to these recollections and their origins in my early days as having been initiated by a rabbi, and so the discussion continues.

May 9, 2016

May 8, 2016

David - Thanks for sharing. Rabbi Siegel married us (Stu Lieberman & Janyce Kugel)almost 52 years ago. He was very supportive and encouraging. As a teen,I was very active in NFTY. Rabbi arranged for me to teach music in the Sunday school at age 15-17 yrs old. I began playing guitar in order to teach at Temple Beth Abraham. I went on to have a professional career as a Cantor, Bar Mitzvah Tutor and Jewish Music specialist. I currently teach Bar Mitzvah lessons and work as a Cantor. I will be celebrating my 70th birthday this year. Rabbi Siegel was a huge influence in my life. L'dor vador. Jan (Kugel) Lieberman.

David Toub

May 8, 2016

We just learned of Rabbi Siegel's passing. He was more than my first rabbi. He was a mensch. He was a friend to my grandfather and father, both former presidents of the Tarrytown Hebrew Congregation and of mine. He led the hebrew school during my youth, was active with the youth groups, officiated at my Bar Mitzvah, and at my wedding 15 years later.

I was a very young boy but remember the Shabbat of his return from Korea to our synagogue on Valley Street. My father proudly told me the story of how Rabbi Siegel and his two brothers, also rabbis, had all served in the armed forces ... one was reformed, one conservative and one orthodox.

I will always remember Rabbi Siegel for his kindness, his patience, his love of Judaism, and his love for his congregants. I can see him sitting on the bima of the small chapel at TBA joyously beating out the rythym to Adon Olum and other songs on the arm of his chair. I can still hear his distinctive pattern of speech. And I will always remember him as the best ping pong player to ever don a tallit.

Our thoughts are with his lovely wife Lorraine, their children and their grandchildren.

Rita Benzer

October 28, 2015

Dear Lorraine,
So sorry to hear of your loss. All the water aerobic ladies send their love and sympathy.

October 26, 2015

So sorry to hear of your great loss.paul was a fine caring gentleman. My sympathies to you and the family. Fondly, Shelly Orringer Sherr

Marsha Pollak

October 18, 2015

Rabbi Siegel was my Rabbi as well as my families. May he rest in peace...

Joseph Browdy

October 14, 2015

We will always remember the time spent in preparing our son for his bar mitzvah at Temple Beth Abraham. Later in life I always enjoyed talking with him at Club Fit.
May he rest in peace.

Miri Raphaeli

October 11, 2015

I was so sorry to learn about Paul passing, sending my love to you and the family.
Miri Raphaeli

Sara Mayeux

October 9, 2015

So sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed his visits to New Orleans

Mary Ann Mills

October 9, 2015

Sending love to you, Fred, and all your family.

Harold

October 8, 2015

Gone and will not be forgotten, may he R.I.P and may prayers and memories comfort you

October 6, 2015

Lorraine, we share your sadness, but reflect on the good times we experienced from the early days at Washington Street and through the life cycle events we shared. Our best wishes.
Stuart and Sylvia Cartoon, Palm Coast, FL

Gary and Rose Baskind

October 6, 2015

We were deeply saddened to learn of Rabbi Siegel's passing . We felt priivledged to be his congregants and have him officiate at all our family life cycle events for almost half a century . May Lorraine and the family draw solace from inspiring memories and be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem .

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results