Balfour Brickner facts for kids

Balfour Brickner (November 18, 1926 – August 29, 2005) was an important rabbi in the Reform Judaism movement. This movement is a modern way of practicing Judaism. When he passed away, he was a special rabbi called "rabbi emeritus" at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in Manhattan, New York.

Balfour Brickner was known for being a strong activist. He worked hard to make the world a better place. He was involved in many important events, fighting for fairness and peace.

Early Life and Education

Balfour Brickner was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His father, Barnett, was also a rabbi. He led a very large Jewish community there.

During World War II, Balfour Brickner served in the United States Navy. After the war, he went to college. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1948. He earned a degree in philosophy, which is the study of big ideas.

In 1952, he became a rabbi. He finished his training at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati.

A Leader for Change

A year after becoming a rabbi, Brickner moved to Washington, D.C.. There, he started a new place of worship called Temple Sinai. He worked there until 1961.

Then, he moved to New York City. He took a job at the national office of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. This group is now called the Union for Reform Judaism. It helps guide Reform Jewish communities across the country.

Rabbi Brickner was a strong supporter of Israel. But he also spoke out when he disagreed with some of Israel's actions. He believed in speaking his mind.

He was a big part of the civil rights movement. This was a time when people fought for equal rights for all, especially African Americans. In 1964, he was arrested in St. Augustine, Florida. This happened during a protest for civil rights. He went there because Martin Luther King Jr. asked him to. It was one of the largest arrests of rabbis in American history.

He also worked for peace during the Vietnam War. He even traveled to Paris with other religious leaders. They met with people involved in the war to talk about peace.

Later Life and Legacy

Balfour Brickner wrote a book called Finding God in the Garden. It was published in 2002.

He lived in Fort Lee, New Jersey and Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

After Rabbi Brickner passed away, many people remembered his work. Dr. Eugene Fisher, a leader in religious discussions, said he was "one of the greatest American religious leaders" of his time. Rabbi Brickner's life showed how faith can inspire people to work for justice and peace.