Liebman, Joshua Loth, 1907-1948

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1907

Death 1948

Biographical notes:

Joshua Loth Liebman (1907-1948)

Joshua Loth Liebman was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on April 7, 1907, to Simon and Sabina (Loth) Liebman. After earning his A.B. from the University of Cincinnati in 1926, Liebman studied at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and was ordained as a Rabbi in 1930. A scholar and committed Zionist, Rabbi Liebman was also the author of Peace of Mind (1946) as well as a radio commentator on Jewish issues.

In 1939, Rabbi Liebman became the Rabbi of Temple Israel in Boston, and quickly reformed the synagogue's operations. There were no more Sunday services, and Friday night services and Bar Mitzvahs were reinstated. Hebrew was also introduced into services. Rabbi Liebman's focus was on bringing the Jewish people together around Judaism, especially important during the events of World War II.

In addition to Peace of Mind, Rabbi Liebman was also the author of The Religious Philosophy of Aaron Ben Elijah (1939), Hod and the World Crisis- Can we Still Believe in Providence (1941), and Teleology and Attributes in the Philosophy of Maimonides from the Hebrew (1943). He was also a contributer to various magazines and radio shows.

His sudden death on June 9, 1948 sent shock waves throughout the Jewish community. Numerous tributes and memorials were established in his name, but his contributions to the Reform movement remain his legacy.

1 Biographical information on Rabbi Liebman compiled from the following sources: Who Was Who in America, Volume II (1943-1950). Chicago: The A.N. Marquis Company, 1950. The Jews of Boston . Ed. Jonathan D. Sarna and Ellen Smith. Boston: Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

1907 JLL born in Hamilton, Ohio on April 7 1926 Graduates from University of Cincinnati (A.B.) 1926 1929 Lecturer in Greek philosophy and Taft Teaching fellow 1928 Marries Fan Loth on July 4 1928 1930 Student at Hebrew Union College in Palestine, Harvard University and Columbia University 1930 Ordained as Rabbi after graduating from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati 1930 Earns Doctorate of Hebrew Letters 1930 Receives Simon Lazarus Prize for highest academic honors and Youngerman prize for outstanding sermon at Hebrew Union College 1930 1934 Simon Traveling Fellowship in Philosophy 1930 1939 National radio preacher on NBC and ABC 1939 1941 Member of Executive Board of Central Conference of American Rabbis 1942 1945 Member of Committee on Army and Navy Religious Activities 1945 Charles W. Eliot lecturer, Jewish Institute of Religion 1946 Samuel Harris lecturer, Bangor Theological Seminary 1947 Receives Distinguished Service Medal of Phi Beta Kappa 1948 Earns honorary Doctorate from Colby College 1948 Dies on June 9

From the guide to the Joshua Loth Liebman, papers, 1940-1947, (American Jewish Historical Society)