Rudolph

William David Rudolph (Age 79)

On Monday, March 27, William David Rudolph of Bethesda, MD. Survived by his wife, Gail Fribush, his three children, Dan (Jenn), Sara (Steve) and Marc (Karen) and grandchildren Stacy, Ian and Josie.

Bill grew up in Philadelphia – a proud graduate of Central HS and Temple University. After graduation, he pursued his dream of joining the rabbinate and was ordained at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. Bill began graduate studies in Bible at the University of Michigan. He then served as Hillel Director at Michigan State and the University of Michigan, before joining the Hillel national headquarters in Washington, DC. Bill served as a pulpit rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, MD for 32 years. He would describe both of these careers as his best one. He also took great pleasure being the rabbi of the Fauquier Jewish Congregation, following his retirement from Beth El. He was creative and caring and had a sharp sense of humor, and the only thing greater than his accomplishments was his humility. He loved what he did and wondered why he even got paid.

Bill got immense pleasure from his children and grandchildren and from his multiple hobbies, including bike riding, home projects, watching his beloved UConn Huskies women's basketball team, reading detective mysteries and listening to Jewish music. He was the definition of a mensch.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at 2:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth El in Bethesda. Arrangements by Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home under Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington Contract.

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

Published by The Washington Post on Mar. 28, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for William Rudolph

12 Entries

andrea Leonard-Segal

Planted Trees

Barry Molar and Juliet Mellow

March 30, 2023

Barry first met Rabbi Rudolph (not comfortable saying Bill) as a freshman at MSU. He regularly went to Sunday dinners at Hillel House (literally a house converted to the Hillel facility), where the dinners were usually deli, presumably kosher from Detroit.
Regret to say Barry didn't attend Shabbat services, but did attend off-and-on High Holiday services at the MSU chapel.
One of Barry's fondest memories is the Hillel Sedars, where Rabbi Rudolph conducted a contest with the "who knows one" song. Sedar participants were to sing successive verses with repetition in one breath.
Fast forward to the late 70's to early 80's in Washington, DC. Barry went to a Friday night single singer service at Temple Beth El, and there was Rabbi Rudolph.
Fast forward again to 1990,we are engaged, unaffialated and looking for a rabbi to conduct a Jewish wedding. Barry remembered Rabbi Rudolph, contacted him, and he agreed to officiate. He was warm and flexible -- discussed all the traditions and agreed with Juliet that traditions she was not comfortable with didn't need to be observed.
He also recommended that we engage the Beth El cantor, which we did. And we are grateful, because he added so much to. the beauty of the ceremony,
We chose the Reform movement ultimately, but we will be grateful that Rabbi Rudolph set us on our path to marriage, family and happiness.
Barry and Juliet

Granite Canyon Partners

Planted Trees

Heidi Sigmon

March 29, 2023

Dear Gail, Andy Goldstein and Heidi Sigmon were congregants of Beth El when Bill was the chief rabbi. We knew Bill as he officiated at one of our son's bar mitzvahs, was the co-instructor in our evening Beth El adult classes, and a fellow bagel lover in downtown Bethesda. We are saddened by his loss but are heartened by our memories of him as an intelligent, engaging and compassionate guy.

Sincerely,
Heidi

Laura Leiderman Cohen

March 28, 2023

Dear Gail and Rudolph family,
Thinking of you at this sad time and sending deepest condolences on your loss.
My family knew Rabbi when he served as clergy for our Battle Crerk Michigan Temple Israel. He was well respected and we all have fond memories of his time in our city.
With deepest sympathy,
Laura Leidrman Cohen

Judy Groban

March 28, 2023

Dear Gail and family,
I am so very sad to hear about Bill´s passing. My deepest condolences.
Judy Groban

Lee and Jeffrey Erlichman

March 28, 2023

Gail,

Lee and I were so saddened to learn of Bill´s passing. Much love to you and your family as you continue the journey.

Lee and Jeffrey Erlichman
Louisville, Colorado

Patricia Silver

March 28, 2023

Gail and Family
So very sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man and all of us have sweet stories about him. He was very special. Our deepest condolences. Patti Silver & Jeff Trauberman

Bunny and Zvi Porath

March 28, 2023

Gail,
Our condolences to you and your family on the passing of Bill.
Our thoughts are with you and all the family, and, May his memory be forever a blessing.
Bunny and Zvi Porath

Norton Elson

March 28, 2023

What a loss. I will always remember him as our vibrant, young, biking rabbi. I'll miss his insight, wisdom and dry wit on the pulpit, in his Wednesday newsletters, and in his Adult Ed classes. Z"L

Rabbi Dan Alexander

March 28, 2023

As my supervisor during my days as a Hillel Director, Bill provided me with practical guidance with a caring touch. invariably he injected humor into each conversation as he became both mentor and friend.

Sarah Shapiro

March 28, 2023

My enduring visual memory will be of his leading the Latke-Hamentash processional in full academic regalia. Many other memories will also be lasting, such as his being exactly the right person to step into the senior rabbi position when he did.

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