Rabbi Peter Knobel; Photo from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership Temple Israel of Hollywood (TIOH) Rabbi Peter Knobel died on Aug. 20. He was 76.
Knobel passed away two months after being named TIOH’s interim senior rabbi.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) issued a statement on Aug. 21 saying it “grieves deeply the death yesterday of our beloved Past President, Rabbi Peter S. Knobel.”
The statement, signed by CCAR president Rabbi Ronald Segal, also stated, “Rabbi Knobel was an exemplar of our rabbinate. Scholar and Zionist, pastor and prophetic voice, Peter Knobel was as devoted to interfaith relations as he was to meaningful worship.”
Knobel was named interim senior rabbi at TIOH on July 1, after Senior Rabbi John Rosove retired. Knobel was to serve as interim rabbi through June 30, 2020.
According to the TIOH website, Knobel was a congregational rabbi for 50 years, first serving Temple Emanu-El in Connecticut and then as senior rabbi at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue in Evanston, Ill. for 30 years, until his retirement in 2010.
After his retirement, Knobel worked as an interim rabbi, guiding synagogues through rabbinic transitions in England, New Zealand, Chicago and Coral Gables, Fla.
“Despite the short time that Rabbi Knobel served our congregation, he made remarkably deep connections, touching many congregants and staff members with his gentle manner, kindness, accessibility and vast wisdom,” according to a statement on TIOH’s website.
Knobel’s funeral service was held on Aug. 26 at Beth Emet and he was buried Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Ill.
Knobel is survived by his wife, Elaine, his sons Jeremy and Seth, and their families.
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