Temple Shalom recently honored Rabbi Emeritus Stanley R. Miles upon his retirement with a weekend of activities that drew hundreds of people to an oneg Shabbat, congregational tribute dinner and community-wide open house.
The dinner was held in the Brown & Williamson Club at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
Co-chairs of the Tribute Weekend were Temple Shalom Immediate Past President Matt Doctrow, former Temple Shalom president, Dr. Rich Goldwin, and Temple Shalom leader, Brenda Bush. Doctrow was emcee for the evening.
Speakers at the dinner included a long-time friend of Rabbi Miles and Temple Shalom, Father Joe Graffis, who serves on the “Moral Side of the News” panel with Rabbi Miles.
Also speaking were Temple Shalom’s new rabbi, Rabbi Beth Jacowitz Chottiner, Temple Shalom members Margo Kling and her daughter Cookie Honigberg, and Rabbi and Sheilah Abramson-Miles’ son, Seth Miles.
Jerry Abramson presented Rabbi Miles with a letter and signed picture from President Barack Obama. Abramson is deputy assistant to Obama and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House. Abramson also formerly served as Louisville mayor and Kentucky lieutenant governor, and is Rabbi Miles’ brother-in-law.
Susan Glazer, president of Women of Temple Shalom, and Jerri Mobley announced a contribution made by Women of Temple Shalom in honor of Sheilah Abramson-Miles to the Youth Education and Special Projects (YES) Fund of Women of Reform Judaism. Both women serve on the WRJ Central District Board. Mobley also serves on the national WRJ board, as does Abramson-Miles, who will become president of Central District WRJ in the fall.
At the dinner, Doctrow announced the dedication of Temple Shalom’s Education Wing in honor of Rabbi Miles. Bush presented his official portrait taken by photographer Jay May. Goldwin presented a framed proclamation from Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, proclaiming June 19, 2016, as Rabbi Stanley R. Miles Day in Louisville.
