Opening Tribute to David A. Teutsch

Abstract

It is a great privilege to provide this tribute to open the collection of papers in honor of my mentor and friend Rabbi David Teutsch, PhD, adapted from a rich conference organized in his honor by the Levin-Lieber Family Program of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College's Center for Jewish Ethics, under the direction of Rabbi Mira Wasserman, Ph.D. David's leadership of the Reconstructionist movement and his contributions to the wider world are staggeringly impressive and have helped to transform institutions, fields, and individual lives.David headed the Reconstructionist congregational union, then known as the Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Havurot, during a period of significant congregational expansion, and moved on to serve as the Wiener Professor of Contemporary Jewish Civilization and ultimately president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, establishing the Center for Jewish Ethics as founding director and also welcoming Kolot: The Center for Jewish Women's and Gender Studies. He has helped to shape the field of Jewish ethics as a scholar, promulgator of values-based decision-making, and primary author and editor of the award- winning Guide to Jewish Practice, which provides a comprehensive, multivocal exploration of religious and ethical practice from a post-halakhic, pluralist perspective. David draws on this expertise to serve as a counselor to hundreds of rabbis from the Reconstructionist movement and beyond, and as consultant to myriad organizations. Equally as influential are his contributions to Jewish liturgy through the editorship of the Kol Haneshamah prayer book series, which translated Reconstructionist theological and communal commitments into practice at the turn of the twenty-first century and influenced the work of other movements through its integration of poetry and commentary and multiple modes of accessibility. Complementing his overarching editorial vision are his thoughtful, nuanced commentaries that are woven through the volumes.David's leadership style is modeled after the Israeli military—akharai, “after me.” He never asks anyone to do something that he himself would not do, from monumental undertakings to the smallest tasks. His fierce vision and formidable accomplishments are matched by his warmth and concern for every individual he encounters. David is a true communitarian who understands that every community is comprised of individuals with needs and aspirations worthy of attention. He is an ethical leader highly worthy of emulation and I am lucky to know him and learn from him.