The Charles Bronfman Prize celebrates the vision and endeavors
of innovative humanitarians whose inspiring work benefits the world.
We are committed to recognizing young, dynamic individuals whose
Jewish values inform their work and inspire future generations.
in touch. He came to my ordination in
Cincinnati from HUC-JIR [Hebrew Union
College-Jewish Institute of Religion] in
June 20097
Frenkel now serves Congregation
M'kor Shalom in New Jersey. She just
led her fourth confirmation class trip to
Israel.
"I miss the sound of Rabbi Klein's
voice during services and prayers. But
not entirely; she said. "When I prepare to
teach my 10th-grade class, his influence is
there. When I meet with congregants, his
memory serves. I was a kid who enjoyed
religious school, and his style of engag-
ing us in Torah only enriched my love for
Judaism."
Interfaith Action
The Rev. Peter Moore of Greenfield
Presbyterian Church in Berkley serves
in the Berkley Clergy Association with
Klein.
"Joe is just a great guy," Moore said.
"He's the only rabbi in our clergy associa-
tion, a dozen Christian congregations
from those liberal to very conservative.
Joe meets people where they are and
speaks to what they care about. He's
made our community richer and more
informed, sharing his classes and fellow-
ship. We've collaborated in the Berkley
Crop Walk, the Walk Through the Bible
exhibition and other programs. He's also
made it fun, organizing trips to Tigers
and Mudhens games, Cirque de Soleil
and The Book of Mormon."
Moore added, "One thing that stands
out was his leadership during a signifi-
cant controversy a few years ago involving
the Christmas creche set on city property.
The Berkley Clergy Association, and
particularly Joe, were instrumental in
negotiating forums, facilitating debates
where people could express their feelings
and concerns with mutual respect. We
were able to think through a necessary
separation of church and state. The city
resolved the issue gracefully at a time that
could have been very difficult. We will
miss him7
Another interfaith organization
honored Klein April 11 for his active
participation. MOSES, the Metropolitan
Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength,
a caucus of more than 30 greater Detroit
congregations and affiliated groups, rec-
ognized his years of service.
Klein and Temple Emanu-El are the
only Jewish participants.
MOSES Director Ponsella Hardaway
said, "Rabbi Klein has been a light spiritu-
ally and a guide practically. He has taught
us to better understand our interfaith
similarities but, more importantly, how to
have honest conversations and embrace
our differences. We can do more together
and be stronger in our differences."
Klein has worked with MOSES to
empower people to advocate for regional
issues like public transportation — and
to write MOSES' materials with familiar
Jewish texts, such as "MOSES is a com-
munity of congregations formed to do
justice, love mercy and walk humbly
before God."
Early Years
Klein was born in Toledo, graduated
from Oberlin College in 1969, and was
ordained from Cincinnati's Hebrew Union
College in 1975. His career began as assis-
tant rabbi at Temple Israel in St. Louis,
Mo. He then served at United Hebrew
Congregation in Terre Haute, Ind., and
Mizpah Congregation in Chattanooga,
Tenn.
While in Indiana and Tennessee, he
was adjunct faculty in humanities at
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology,
Indiana State University and the
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga,
teaching courses on Genesis, Hebrew
Scripture, First-Century History, New
Testament and Introduction to Judaism.
He now teaches at Oakland University
in religious studies.
Klein and his wife, Barbara, have two
children. Adam is married and an attor-
ney in Atlanta. Ellie is married with twins
in Boston and directs synagogue youth
programming. A third grandchild is
expected in June.
As a prelude to his retirement, Klein
had the honor of throwing out the first
pitch at a Toledo Mudhens game May 19
for Emanu-El's Brotherhood.
Rabbi Arturo Kalfus begins July 1 at
the synagogue.
"It's been a good ride," Klein said.
"Temple Emanu-El is a friendly commu-
nity, open and welcoming. Our children
are eager to learn, from nursery school to
b'nai mitzvah, confirmation and gradu-
ation. They are smart and a particular
pleasure to teach. Teaching is what I will
most miss. My legacy to them? I hope
they have learned to ask good questions7
Although retiring from the 60-70 hour
work week of a congregational rabbi, he
will still be teaching in the religious stud-
ies department at Oakland University.
Though much has changed in the 40
years since his ordination, Klein said, "I
don't think what's important has changed
at all:'
The Prize is pleased to announce our 2013 recipient, Eric Rosenthal,
founder and executive director of Disability Rights International (DRI),
a pioneering human rights advocacy organization fighting the
discrimination and abuse of people with disabilities in custodial
institutions worldwide. Witnessing children locked away in orphanages,
psychiatric facilities, and nursing homes deeply affected Eric, so DRI
recently launched the World Campaign to End Institutionalization
of Children, which advocates that children live with families rather
than segregated from society.
I
Eric exemplifies what can be accomplished when leadership and
compassion come together. We salute his tireless work to lift the lives
of an overlooked, stigmatized, and excluded population and his belief
that every person has a fundamental right to human dignity.
II
PROVIDING INSPIRATION
TO THE NEXT GENERATIONS
Eric Rosenthal
Founder + Executive Director
Disability Rights International
www.DisabilityRightslntl.org
WM THE
Jewish Values. Global Impact.
CHARLES
BRONFMAN
PRIZE
www.TheCharlesBronfmanPrize.com
1830140
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Vivian DeGain studied with Rabbi Klein to
become a Jew by Choice and member of
Temple Emanu-El in 2006.
Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Joseph Klein becomes Rabbi Emeritus on June
30. The congregation honors him at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at a tribute
with entertainment and a dessert reception. No charge.
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