About Rabbi Aryeh

This blog is for the purpose of remembering Aryeh Hirschfield z”l, Rabbi, teacher, friend, husband, father, tzadik and so much more.

We hope that all who visit are comforted and uplifted by reading and sharing memories and photos.

This site also serves a point of connection  and link to other sites that provide crucial information.  Please see the links section in the right hand column.

This is just a humble beginning–We expect that over time this site will grow in richness and usefullness for all who seek to keep the spirit and memory of our beloved Rabbi alive.  May his soul be uplifted and protected.

The following is from a  9/08 bio Rabbi Aryeh used to discuss his work (edited to reflect his passing):

Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield was the spiritual leader of congregation P’nai Or of Portland. P’nai Or is affiliated with the Network of Jewish Renewal Communities. The Jewish Renewal movement is characterized by its   egalitarianism, inclusivity, radical universalism, joy, song, and focus on the mystical tradition within Judaism.

 

He was very active in interfaith work since 1976, recently a co-chair of the Interfaith Council of Greater Portland, and was a frequent speaker/performer  at Christian  and Muslim public events and houses of worship.

 

He traveled to Germany on a number of occasions to help facilitate dialogue and healing between Jews and Germans willing to face together the painful history of the Holocaust. He also led groups to Israel and Palestine to engage in dialogue with peacemakers on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian  conflict.

Rabbi Hirschfield was an internationally-known performer of original and traditional Jewish music. While many of his songs draw their inspiration from Jewish sacred texts, he was known for his ability to bring audiences of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds together in song to connect with a sense of the Sacred beyond any label or denomination.