My maternal grandparents helped shape my Jewish character. When I told my grandfather I was studying to be a rabbi, his first response was that I should become a CPA. I guess he invoked the old adage, “What kind of job is that for a nice Jewish boy?” But he said it with a twinkle in his eye, which let me know that he was proud of my life path.

Unfortunately, he never lived to see me as an ordained rabbi. But even after all these years, he is always at my side on the pulpit.

Rabbi Stephen Grundfast
Beth El Congregation - Akron (Conservative)
 

Image copyright Herbert Ascherman © 2008