Rabbi David Vorspan is the founding rabbi of Congregation Shir Ami in Woodland Hills, and rabbi-in-residence of New Community Jewish High School in West Hills. His father, Rabbi Max Vorspan, was a scholar, historian and community leader, and vice president at the former University of Judaism (now American Jewish University).
“The most outstanding memory I have of my father is the way he greeted people. He was so warm and outgoing and ready with a quick smile. People felt good being around him because he let them know that he was happy to be with them as well.
For my first five years, he was a congregational rabbi in Pasadena. After he joined the University of Judaism, he would lead High Holy Days services at Adat Ari El. I still recall the splendor of the white robes, the choir, the setting and his lovely voice, piercing through all of the pomp and circumstance.
When he gave his sermons, he did not pontificate. He always had something new to say, but he said it in such a down-to-earth manner that it resonated with people. That made him unique in those days because most rabbis typically became a different person — austere and distant — on the pulpit. My father was the same warm and authentic person on the pulpit as he was off.
As a teenager, I recall friends saying that our parents didn’t understand us. One night, I said to my father, ‘You don’t really know me!’ I was expecting him to say, ‘Of course I know you. You’re my son. I raised you.’ But he said, ‘You’re right. I don’t know you. Let me learn.’ I was totally disarmed by his response.
When my father retired, he came to my services and loved ‘the view from the pew,’ as he called it. One year, I gave a sermon about the binding of Isaac. When I finished, my father jumped up and grabbed the microphone and said, ‘I want to share some thoughts, too,’ and he gave us his unique view on the binding of Isaac. I didn’t feel upstaged, even though he upstaged me. We always had so much fun learning from each other. This was just a lovely, natural moment.
I miss being able to discuss my pulpit rabbinate and my teaching with him. I miss asking him what his take would be on issues we’re confronting today. He was way ahead of his time, whether it was about gay rights or proselytizing or Israel.
Sadly, in his last years, he had Alzheimer’s. But, even when he didn’t know me, he still greeted me with that same warm smile and light in his eyes.
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