Rabbi Max Weine

Rabbi Max Weine was born on January 1, 1907 in what was then Russian-ruled Poland to Morris and I. Helen Weine. His father came to the United States in 1906 and settled in Detroit, Michigan. Morris Weine sent for his wife and children in 1910. The family, which included five older siblings, was living at 588 King Avenue in Detroit in January of 1920, where Morris Weine was in business as a retail junk dealer. The Weines were still at that address in April of 1930.

After being ordained as a rabbi, Max Weine presided over the synagogue at Rutland, Vermont from as early as 1937 through 1942. He accepted a post in Camden, New Jersey where he would serve as the interim Rabbi for Congregation Beth El while their rabbi, Philip Lipis, was on active duty with the United States Navy. Upon the return of Rabbi Lipis, Rabbi Weine accepted the rabbinate of Congregation Beth Israel in East Camden, where he served with great distinction into the 1970s.

After retiring from Beth Israel Rabbi Weine returned to Michigan. In 1975 the Rabbi Max Weine Institute for Judaism, located at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, Michigan was founded. The institute serves to give instruction to prospective converts to Judaism.

Rabbi Weine passed away on November 11, 1985 in Oak Park. He was survived by his wife Mae, who joined him on June 5, 2004, a son and a daughter. Mae Weine was prominent in her own right, as the creator of the Weine Cataloguing Scheme for Jewish Libraries. It is a system used by congregational libraries all over the country.

In March of 1943, Rabbi Max Weine, who had been rabbi in Rutland, Vermont, began his service as Beth El’s interim Rabbi while Rabbi Lipis was a Navy chaplain. The late Friday night services were conducted in the auditorium instead of the main sanctuary in order to conserve oil. Memorial tablet sales were stopped because of the shortage of bronze, but Beth El’s basic religious, cultural educational and social programs continued.

The Second Annual United Thanksgiving services were held at Beth El. Chaplain Lipis took part, together with Rabbi Weine and Beth Israel’s new Rabbi, Mordecai Poupko.

Excerpt From Rabbi Lipis’ Letter to Rabbi Weine

Dear Max:

While I am undergoing my busy training for the work that confronts me and after I take my station, I should like the folks in Beth El to feel that they are constantly in my thoughts, and that they should, under your able and conscientious leadership, unite in their efforts to continue and expand what we have built together. Tell them that the knowledge that activities and progress are continuing without interruption will not only warm my heart because they will indicate that what we have been doing together is planted firmly in fruitful soil; but it will also aid the war effort by bolstering the morale of one who himself must be a morale-builder of many men.

But this knowledge must be based on fact and achievement. Will you tell my dear friends in Beth El that I want them, that I expect them, that I look to them to rally around your leadership and guidance, in the congregation, the sisterhood, the school, the associate membership, and the related activities of the synagogue. Each one of us has a station these days. Each one of us must do his maximum for the cause of victory and for the higher purposes victory will save and preserve.

With my every good wish for a fruitful, happy ministry at Beth El, and with complete readiness to serve you in whatever manner you may suggest, I am,

Sincerely,

Philip Lipis

In 1945 a message appeared in the Beth El Ball Journal from Rabbi Max Weine who in Rabbi Lipis’ absence was serving as Beth El’s “acting rabbi.” Rabbi Weine wrote of the day when “our boys come home and will have realized the profound truths of religion … and experience a burning desire to be closer to Jewish life … We of the Home Front who, are far from the horror of war should prepare and improve Beth El for the homecoming.”

There was also a message from Chaplain Lipis together with a picture of him in Navy uniform. In his message he praised Rabbi Max Weine for his “inspiration and guidance.”

On June 18th, Morris Liebman was installed for a fourth term as President of Congregation Beth El. Mrs. Max Pincus became Sisterhood President. At the installation, chaired by Commissioner Aaron, both Rabbi Weine and Chaplain Lipis spoke.

On May 13, 1945, the Servicemen’s Tablet was dedicated. Rabbi Weine officiated at the dedication. The Honorable E. George Aaron, Director of Public Affairs of Camden was on the program together with Mayor George Brunner. Among those listed on the tablet were two names that followed each other in alphabetical order, Ensign Martin Odlen and Staff Sergeant Joseph Ostrov. Twenty-five years later, they were to follow each other as presidents of Beth El.

Rabbi Max Weine, after serving Beth El since Purim of 1943, left Beth El on Purim of 1946 to become Rabbi of Beth Israel Synagogue in Camden where he continues to serve with great distinction. He became a leading figure in the Jewish community and achieved special note in the ranks of the Conservative Rabbinate for his erudite scholarship. His wife, Mae, was to achieve prominence in her own right for her outstanding expertise in the field of the “Jewish library.”

Corporal Mathews-Purnell Post No. 518 will celebrate its 30th anniversary at a dinner with the Ladies Auxiliary in the parish hall of the St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, River Avenue and Twenty-eighth Street, Saturday, at 7 p. m. This will be the 29th anniversary for the auxiliary.

The Rev. William J. O’Rourke will give the invocation, the Rev. Warren G. Jennings will say grace and Rabbi Max Weine the benediction.

Eleven Gold Star Mothers will be honored guests of Commander Irving J. Stiefel. They are Mrs. Ada Mathews, Mrs. Katherine Corbett, Mrs. Marie Hunt, Mrs. Catherine Cahill, Mrs. Harry Maisch, Mrs. Joseph Selah, Mrs. Walter Haines, Mrs. Charles Reynolds, Mrs. John Peterson, Mrs. John A. Gorman, and Mrs. Mary Simpson.

Other invited guests are Congressman Wolverton, Mrs. Alice Trimble, department senior vice president, Ladies Auxiliary; Mrs. Florence E. Stark, past national president; Mrs. Mary Norcross, Seventh District president; Mrs. Victoria Nicktern, president of the 5108 auxiliary; Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Ryan; Mrs. John J. Tischner; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Meade, Mrs. Herbert L. Stoolman, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Pfrommer, Mrs. George Clymer, Mrs. Fiore Malacrea, Mrs. Warren G. Jennings, Mrs. Max Weine, Albert J. Gifford, past commander, Camden county council; Alvah S. Ward, department chief of staff; County Commander Schuler; Southern area membership chairman, and many others.

The toastmaster will be Stoolman. Michael Mungioli is banquet chairman, and Mrs. Carrie R. Bean, past department president, co-chairman. They will be assisted by Mrs. Victoria Nicktern, president of the 518 auxiliary; Mrs. Beatrice Fredericks, decorations; Mrs. Esther Rowan, Edna Weaver and Mrs. Theresa Mungioli, recreation, and Orris Smith, program.

At a meeting of the post at 2712 Hayes Avenue; Stiefel welcomed two new members, Robert C. Barr, who served in the army, and Gordon Kraft, navy, in World War II. Steve Walter reported that Otto Self is ill in the Philadelphia Naval hospital. Joseph Hasher reported Edward Bossett was in Cooper hospital and doing nicely. He is in room 14.

At the entertainment last Saturday night, with “Big Time” Charlie Crane as master of ceremonies, the following sang: Dot Flanigan, “Sweetheart” of 518; Fred Falkerberger; Ann Flanigan, “Singing Waitress”; Lois “Singing Cow Girl,” and Mike “Medals” Mungioli.

It has been said that every man should step to the music of his own drummer. Such a man is Rabbi Weine. He has an abiding love of learning and compassion for all men.

He epitomizes the word “rabbi” in its true meaning — a man whose unassuming, soft-spoken manner belies his firm conviction, his steadfast adherence to the principles which guide his beliefs and action.

In the confusion of our times, Rabbi Weine has set his sights on the path most closely aligned with his own “drumbeat.” In a period when integrity and humility are rare qualities, he has become, quite unintentionally a man unique in his time.

Rabbi Weine has kept pace the issues of our time, serving his urban community in the interests of equality and the tranquil coexistence of races and religions based on education and understanding.

While his gentle ways and humble concern for the welfare of others might seem out of step among today’s clerical masters of oratory bonvivant personalities and astute businessmen, this man is consummately respected by his peers and well loved by his friends and congregants.

— Alice Bellitz

The Crown of a Good Name Exceeds All Others. (Pirke Avot)

GUESTS

Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Adleman — Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Adleman — Mr. Stanley Adleman and Guest — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Adleman — Mr. and Mrs. Michael Albert — Reverend Samuel Appel — Mr. and Mrs. James Artz — Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Asbell — Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Back — Mr. and Mrs. Henry Becker — Mrs. Jeanette Bell and Escort — Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Bellitz — Mrs. Samuel Bellitz — Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Berlin — Dr. and Mrs. Harold Berlin — Mrs. Miriam Bitman — Cantor and Mrs. Philip Blackman — Mrs. Sigmund Blass — Dr. and Mrs. Albert Bonier — Mr. and Mrs. William Bryen — Dr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Davis — Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Denbo — Monsignor Joseph W. Devline — Mr. and Mrs. Allen Dolgin — Dr. Jacob Drossner — Mr. and Mrs. Charles Drourr — Mr. and Mrs. Howard Drourr — Mr. Bernard Dubin — Dr. and Mrs. I. Eisenberg — Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Eisenberg — Mr. and Mrs. Max Gerald Elkins — Mr. A. David Epstein — Mr. Irving Epstein — Mr. and Mrs. Sig Ettinger — Mrs. Bernice Fein — Mrs. Elizabeth Feinstein — Mr. and Mrs. Louis Feinstein — Mr. Leonard Feldman — Mr. Morris Baer Finkelstein — Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Fleigleman — Mr. and Mrs. Russel Forman — Mr. and Mrs. Louis Fox — Mr. Philip Fox — Rabbi and Mrs. Isaac Furman — Miss Ellen Gartzman — Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Gartzman — Dr. and Mrs. N. Harry Gartzman — Dr. Joel Geffen — Mr. Irving Gitomer — Cantor Mordecai Goldstein — Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Goodwin — Mr. William Gordon — Mr. and Mrs. Leon Gottlieb — Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gould — Mr. and Mrs. Barry Gratz — Rabbi William Greenburg — Mr. and Mrs. Al Haiken — Rabbi and Mrs. Lester Hering — Mrs. Minna Harris — Rabbi and Mrs. Arthur Haselkorn — Cantor and Mrs. Louis Herman — Mr. Russel Janoff — Mr. and Mrs. Robert Josselson — Rabbi and Mrs. Howard Kahn — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Katman — Mrs. David Kaufman — Dr. and Mrs. Mark Kauffman — Rabbi Harry B. Kellman — Dr. and Mrs. Harold Kirsh — Judge and Mrs. Albert Klein — Mr. James Klein and Guest — Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Koche — Mr. and Mrs. Ike Koff — Mr. Kotlikoff — Mr. and Mrs. Max Kramer — Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Kress — Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Krouse — Mr. Louis Kushner — Mrs. Morris Kutner — Mr. Moses Lavinsky — Rabbi and Mrs. Robert Layman — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Leonard — Rabbi and Mrs. Albert L. Lewis — Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Levin — Mr. Sidney Levy — Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lieberman — Rabbi Louis Lieberworth — Mr. Leslie Lipschutz — Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Mazo — Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Mandel — Mr. and Mrs. Max Milask — Mrs. Harold Miller — Mr. Joseph Miller — Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Miller — Miss Judith H. Moore — Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Naden — Mayor and Mrs. Joseph M. Nardi, Jr. — Mr. Irving Natkow — Rabbi and Mrs. Fred Neulander — Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Norwitz — Mr. and Mrs. David Novack — Mr. and Mrs. Morris Novack — Mr. and Mrs. Martin Odlen — Mr. and Mrs. Louis Paul — Dr. and Mrs. Harry Pinsky — Mrs. Yetta Pinsky — Mrs. Mary Plasky — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Plasky — Mr. and Mrs. Y. D. Plotnick — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Reichman — Mrs. Dora Rose — Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Rosen — Mr. and Mrs. Leon Roseman — Mr. and Mrs. Morris Liebman — Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Roseman — Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rosner — Mr. and Mrs. David Rosoff — Mr. Larry Rosoff — Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ross — Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Ross — Mr. and Mrs. Milton Ross — Mr. and Mrs. Milton Rothbaum — Mr. and Mrs. Julius Rothlander — Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rothman — Mrs. Jennie Rothschild — Mr. and Mrs. Leon Savage — Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sbar — Miss Malkah Sbar — Mr. and Mrs. Abe Schnapf — Dr. and Mrs. Norman Shaen — Mr. and Mrs. Louis Shefsky — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Shensa — Dr. Harold Shpeen — Mr. and Mrs. Martin Silverstein — Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Singer — Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Skoboloff — Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Smith — Mr. and Mrs. I. Snegaroff — Mr. and Mrs. Martin Snyder — Mr. Joel Soffer — Miss Helen Spiegel — Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Starker — Mr. and Mrs. Ben Zion Steinberg — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Supnick — Mr. and Mrs. Philip Tannenbaum — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tapper — Mr. and Mrs. Albert Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Victor Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Charles Toplan — Mr. Arnold K. Weber — Mr. and Mrs. Barry Weinberg — Dr. Burton Weiser — Miss Mary Weiss — Rabbi and Mrs. Herbert Yarrish — Dr. Paul G. Zackon — Mr. and Mrs. Julius Zinman — Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zitomer — Dr. and Mrs. Paul Zonies — Rabbi Harry S. Zwelling

* list incomplete

PROGRAM

Greetings
Dr. Harold Berlin, Chairman Rabbi Max Weine Tribute Dinner
Toastmaster Rabbi Albert J. Lewis, Temple Beth Sholom
Invocation and Hamotzi Rabbi Herbert Yarrish, Temple Emanuel

DINNER

Birkat Hamazon

Tributes
Monsignor Joseph W. Devlin, Interfaith Dialogue
Ellen Gartzman, Youth Representative
Rabbi Robert Layman, President, Tri-County Board of Rabbis
Rabbi Albert J. Lewis, Rabbinical Assembly of Philadelphia
Honorable Joseph Nardi, Jr., Mayor of the City of Camden, N. J.
Larry Rosoff, Youth Representative
Dr. Harold Shpeen, President of Jewish Federation of Camden County
Rabbi Harry S. Swelling, New Britain, Connecticut, Rabbi’s Classmate
Mr. Arnold K. Weber, Director Camden Economic Development Office

Musical Program
Hazzan Phillip Blackman, Congregation Beth Israel
Hazzan Mordecai Goldstein, Temple Beth Sholom

Speaker
Dr. Joel S. Geffen, Director of Department Community Education, Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

Presentation
Mr. David Rosoff, President of Congregation Beth Israel

Response
Rabbi Max Weine

A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY PAYS TRIBUTE…

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Adleman — Mr. Stanley Adleman — Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Aronberg — Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Bass — Miss Hene Bercovich — Mr. and Mrs. Jack Beilowitz — Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Bellitz — Dr. and Mrs. Harold Berlin — Mr. and Mrs. Henry Budowsky — Mrs. Naomi Floch — Mr. and Mrs. Harold Frankel — Dr. and Mrs. N. Harry Gartzman — Mr. and Mrs. Harry Goldstein — Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Greenberg — Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Harris — Mr. and Mrs. Robert Josselson — Rabbi and Mrs. Louis Kaplan — Mrs. Bertha Kapnick — Judge and Mrs. Albert J. Klein — Mr. and Mrs. Moses Lavinsky — Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lear — Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lemerman — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Leonard — Mr. and Mrs. S. Nathan Lev — Dr. and Mrs. Irvin B. Levin — Mr. and Mrs. Myron Levin — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lutz — Mr. and Mrs. David H. Markowitz — Mr. and Mrs. Leon Mickleman — Mr. and Mrs. Abe Molotsky — Mr. and Mrs. Julian Moore — The Naden Family — Mr. and Mrs. Morris Novack — Mrs. Mary Plasky — Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Price — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Price — Mr. and Mrs. George Rhodeside — Mr. and Mrs. David Rosoff — Mr. and Mrs. Milton Rothbaum — Dr. and Mrs. Norman Shaen — Mr. and Mrs. Leon Synder — Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sobel — Mr. and Mrs. Edward Spector — Mr. Mitchell Stern — Mr. and Mrs. Albert Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Harry Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Victor Taylor — Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Vilkomerson — Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Werner — Mr. Jacob Wiener — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wolinsky — Dr. and Mrs. Paul Zackon — Dr. and Mrs. Martin Zelnick — Dr. and Mrs. Paul Zonies

* List Incomplete

COMMITTEE

Chairman Dr. Harold Berlin
Co-chairman Mr. Bernard Bellitz
Tribute Chairman
Dr. N. Harry Gartzman Program Chairman
Mrs. Milton Rothbaum Community Liaison
Hon. Albert J. Klein Program Book
Mrs. N. Harry Gartzman — Mrs. Paul Gould
Arrangements Chairman Dr. Paul Zonies
Invitations Chairman Mrs. Paul Zonies
Publicity Mrs. Bernard Bellitz
Souvenir Book Mrs. Irwin Taylor

Committee Members

Mr. James Artz — Mrs. Henry Becker — Mr. Henry Becker — Dr. Stephen Davis — Mrs. Max Elkins — Mr. Aaron Fleigelman — Mrs. Gerald Gartzman — Mr. Martin Gitomer — Mr. Leon Goldberg — Mr. Paul Gould — Mr. Al Haiken — Mr. Robert Josselson — Mr. David Novack — Mr. Louis Paul — Mrs. Louis Paul — Mr. Sam Reichman — Mr. Leon Roseman — Mrs. Leon Roseman — Mr. Ted Roseman — Mrs. Ted Roseman — Mr. David Rosoff — Mr. Manuel Ross — Mr. Milton Rothbaum — Mr. Louis Shefsky — Dr. Leonard Rosen — Mr. Samuel Weiss — Mrs. Martin Zelnick

ADDITIONAL GUESTS

Mr. & Mrs. David B. Berschler — Mr. & Mrs. Harold Frankel — Mr. & Mrs. Morton Jacobs — Mr. & Mrs. Maurice J. Lichtman — Judge Norman Heine — Mr. Max Rosenfeld — Rabbi Bernard E. Rothman

ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Bloom — Mr. & Mrs. Tom Borman — Mrs. Mildred Gelfand — Mr. & Mrs. Leon Goldberg — Dr. & Mrs. Milton Gordon — Mr. & Mrs. William Greenberg — Mr. & Mrs. Milton Herman — Mr. & Mrs. Morton Jacobs — Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Kirschner — Mr. & Mrs. William Remer — Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Rosner — Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Segan — Mr. Joseph Smith — Mr. Mitchell Stern — Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Silverstein — Mr. & Mrs. Albert Weine — Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Zelnick