Rabbi Emeritus Chester B. Diamond of The Temple,
a giant of Reform Judaism, has passed away at 88
By Andrew Adler
Community Editor
Rabbi Chester B. Diamond
Rabbi Chester B. Diamond, who spent his entire career – an astonishing 60 years – at The Temple, Adath Israel Brith Sholom, died March 18 in Louisville at the age of 88. His obituary is below, followed by a message from congregation president Shannon Rothschild and excerpts from remarks given during his March 23 memorial service. On behalf of all of us in the community whose lives were made brighter by Rabbi Diamond, we deeply mourn his loss.
Rabbi Chester Bailey Diamond, 88, of Louisville, KY, passed away on March 18, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Chester “Chet” Diamond was born on June 27, 1936, to Theresa Blumenson and Sol Diamond. He and his older sister, Joan, were raised in Brooklyn, NY. He was a dedicated and incredibly loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and he devoted his life to providing compassionate leadership to his congregants, the Jewish community, and the greater Louisville community.
Rabbi Diamond was a pillar of the Louisville Jewish community for over four decades, serving as the spiritual leader of The Temple, Adath Israel Brith Sholom, his one and only congregation, since he started as an assistant rabbi in 1963. In 1988, the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion awarded him the Degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa. In 2001, upon becoming Rabbi Emeritus, he was recognized with a special award from Governor Paul E. Patton of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for his years of leadership and contributions to both his congregation and the broader community. A tireless advocate for interfaith understanding, Rabbi Diamond was the first rabbi to serve on the Board of the Office of Ecumenism of the Louisville Archdiocese. His work promoting interfaith dialogue earned him recognition in 1999 from Interfaith Paths to Peace, and in 2001, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Cathedral Heritage Foundation.
Rabbi Diamond’s leadership extended beyond his synagogue. He served on the executive boards of many important organizations, including the Louisville Board of Rabbis and Cantors, Jewish Hospital, Jewish Community Federation, Boy Scouts of America–Old Kentucky Home Council, the American Jewish Committee, and the National Conference of Christians and Jews–Louisville Chapter. His civic engagement included roles on advisory committees for the Metro United Way, Humana Hospitals, and the Louisville United Against Hunger, among many others. Additionally, he was a volunteer tutor at Dunn Elementary School.
A passionate educator, Rabbi Diamond helped develop a Hillel Counsellorship at the University of Louisville and served as its first counselor. He also taught as an adjunct Professor of Religion at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and as a visiting lecturer in Hebrew Scriptures at Bellarmine College (now Bellarmine University). Rabbi Diamond was a member of numerous civic and social organizations throughout his life. He was a longtime member of the Louisville Rotary Club, serving for 40 years, and was the first rabbi to serve as Chaplain of the Louisville Jaycees. His leadership, dedication, and deep commitment to his faith and community will be remembered by all who knew him.
Rabbi Diamond is survived by his wife of nearly 37 years, Fran Diamond; his children, Jack Diamond (DeAnn), Debra Reaguer, and Jennifer Diamond; and his step-children, Cathy King, Greg Bowles, and Chris Bowles (Billie Jean); his grandchildren, Jackson Diamond (Nicole), Madison Diamond, Samantha Reaguer (fiancé Brad Maloney), Taylor Reaguer, Gloria Gray, Nicole Stallings (Chris), Shelby Bowles, and Alexis Bowles; as well as great-grandchildren, and his nieces, Madelyn Neufeld (David, children Sara and Alex) and Alison Carter. He was predeceased by his parents, Theresa and Sol Diamond, his sister Joan Carter, and his brother-in-law, David Carter.
A service to honor Rabbi Diamond’s life and legacy was held March 23, 2025 at The Temple. Donations in his memory can be made to The Temple, the Jewish Family & Career Services Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry, the Chester Diamond Religious School Education Fund, The Bertram & Elaine Klein Family Music Fund, or a fund of your choice.
Rabbi Diamond’s memory will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of working alongside him, and his impact on the Louisville community will never be forgotten.
“Our hearts are broken as we mourn the passing of our beloved Rabbi Emeritus Chester B. Diamond, who faithfully served our congregation since 1963,” Shannon Rothschild, president of The Temple, wrote in a March 19 email to congregants telling them of Rabbi Diamond’s death. “His impact was felt not only within the walls of our synagogue but throughout the larger community. Rabbi Diamond was a pillar of wisdom, kindness, and leadership, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him…Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time. The loss is not just theirs but one shared by our entire community. We were truly blessed to have such a righteous and compassionate leader in our midst. May his memory be a blessing.”
At the March 23 memorial service, Rabbi Diamond’s daughter Jennifer Diamond, who is also The Temple’s principal vocal soloist, recalled how “my daddy had the gift of connection. He could make people feel seen, appreciated and loved with the kindness in his eyes, the genuineness of his smile and laugh, the timbre of his voice – with words of either wisdom or humor – or just because he listened, really listened.”
“Our tradition says that the most important thing is olam chesed yibaneh – that the world should be built on love and kindness,” said Senior Rabbi David Ariel-Joel. “This is the ideal world…where we treat one another with dignity, with equality, with love and kindness and with empathy. This was the world that Rabbi Diamond built around him. In all his endeavors he was a person of shalom – of peace, a person who brought good to everyone.”
Perhaps most of all, to his congregation. “He loved The Temple members with all his heart,” Rabbi Ariel-Joel said. “And our congregation loved Rabbi Diamond back – a big and strong love. Rabbi Diamond is by far the most beloved rabbi I have ever encountered in my entire life.”
“Instead of writing my own personal memories shared with Chet — Rabbi Chester B. Diamond — I thought I’d share my thoughts about one of all our favorite moments with him,” recalled Rabbi Emerita Gaylia R. Rooks.
“Let me set the scene: It is the beginning of the most sacred moment of the entire year, the start of Yom Kippur. We are all here at The Temple to hear the haunting melody and ancient Aramaic words – the Kol Nidre. The lights fade, the room hushes, and out of the darkness comes a sparkling diamond, a human figure dressed all in white. His voice begins to sing. Softly, slowly, almost painfully, passionately, it forms foreign words passed down among our Jewish people for 15 centuries — a holy moment too intimate to put into words.
“Yet somehow, we all feel closer to God and blessed to have our Rabbi Diamond to uplift our souls and our spiritual lives — not only for that day, but for all our days. Out of the darkness came, Let there be light, and his light will continue to shine in every person whose life he touched.”