Temple Beth-El Celebrated Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl

 March 15, 2021

 When the pandemic forced Temple Beth-El to postpone Rabbi Stahl’s 80th birthday celebration and fundraiser last March, they thought they would be able to reschedule the event for winter 2020. Unfortunately, because of ongoing COVID restrictions, they were unable to do so.  

 Although all members wish they could be in-person to honor Rabbi Stahl, Temple Beth-El was able to celebrate him with an online celebration on Wednesday, March 3rd. The online event platform offered guests virtually unlimited participation.  

The guest speaker was Rabbi Jonathan Roos, Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai, in Washington, D. C. Rabbi Stahl officiated at Rabbi Roos’s marriage in Temple’s Wulfe Sanctuary to the former Elizabeth Siegle. Elizabeth’s parents, Rita and Dr. Robert Siegle, were active members of Temple Beth-El while they lived in San Antonio.  

Rabbi Stahl also installed Rabbi Roos in his pulpit in Washington, as well as in his former congregation in New Jersey. Among Rabbi Roos’s Washington congregants are Ron Klain, Chief of Staff of President Biden; Ted Koppel noted broadcast journalist; Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; and Rabbi Ambassador David Saperstein.  

Since the event expenses were reduced by moving the program online, Temple Beth-El has decided to support some of San Antonio’s most vulnerable residents by sharing a significant portion of the event proceeds with San Antonio Meals on Wheels. Rather than an in-person dinner for 500 people, Temple’s donation to Meals on Wheels will provide thousands of meals to our neighbors living with food insecurity.  

 Rabbi Stahl and his wife, Lynn enthusiastically support the Meals on Wheels donation and are grateful to the event supporters who make it possible.  

*This article was featured in the Jewish Journal Passover print edition