Max Lilienthal: The Making of the American Rabbinate
When Congregation Bene Israel hired him to come to Cincinnati in 1854, Rabbi Max Lilienthal (1814–82) seized the opportunity to work with his friend Isaac M. Wise. Together, Lilienthal and Wise forged the institutional foundations for the American Reform movement: the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and Hebrew Union College. In Max Lilienthal: The Making of the American Rabbinate, author Bruce L. Ruben investigates the central role Lilienthal played in creating new institutions and leadership models to bring his immigrant community into the mainstream of American society. This biography shines a light on this prominent rabbi and educator who is treated by most American Jewish historians as, at best, Wise’s collaborator. It examines Lilienthal’s early career, including how his fervent Haskalah ideology was shaped by tensions within early nineteenth-century German Jewish society and how he tried to implement that ideology in his attempt to modernize Russian Jewish education. After LIlienthal immigrated to America to serve three traditional New York German synagogues, he clashed with lay leadership. Ruben examines this lay-clergy power struggle and how Lilienthal resolved it over his long career.
Max Lilienthal and the Making of the American Rabbinate also details the rabbi’s many accomplishments, including his creation of a nationally recognized private Jewish school and the founding of the precursor to the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He also was the first rabbi to preach in a Christian church. Even more significantly, Ruben argues that Lilienthal created an unprecedented new American model for the rabbinate, in which the rabbi played a prominent role in civic life.
More than a biography, this volume is a case study of the impact of American culture
on Judaism and its leadership, as Ruben shows how Lilienthal embraced an increasingly radical Reform ideology influenced by a mixture of American and European ideas.
“Religious innovator and educator, Max Lilienthal receives his due in Bruce Ruben’s well-researched and thorough biography. Lilienthal’s life, as illuminated by Ruben, provides a useful lens through which to understand the development of American Reform Judaism, the American rabbinate, and American Jewish life during the mid-nineteenth century.”
Jonathan Krasner, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
“It is beautifully and engagingly written. . . ”
Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel, Central Conference of American Rabbis Journal
Other Publications
“The Viennese Rite and American Moderate Reform”
American Jewish History Journal, 106.2, April 2022
Lyricist – “May You Heal”
with composer Mark Sirett, 2022
“The May You Heal Project,” published by Hal Leonard
“Power Struggles between Lay and Rabbinic Leadership in 19th century America”
Reappraisals and New Studies of the Modern Jewish Experience:
Essays in honor of Robert M. Seltzer, 2014
Liner Notes – “Cherished Moments: Songs of the Jewish Spirit,”
Sono Luminus, 2014
Composer – “Circle of Light” A Psalm Cycle for Cantor/Choir/Instruments (
published by G. Schirmer Music, 2014
“A Historical Survey of the American Reform Cantorate: Models and Pedagogy”
Jewish Music as a Dialogue of Cultures, Harrosowitz Verland, 2013
Max Lilienthal and the Making of the American Rabbinate
Wayne State University Press, 2011
“Cantor Barbara Ostfeld: An Unassuming Pioneer”
Journal of Synagogue Music, 2007
“Three Hundred and Fifty Years of American Synagogue Music” Study Guide for the American Conference of Cantors, 2004
“Max Lilienthal and Isaac M. Wise: Architects of American Reform Judaism”
American Jewish Archives Journal, 2003, no. 2
“S’lichot: Prayers of Forgiveness”
Reaching for Holiness: Study Guide for S’lichot and Yom Kippur
Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 2001
“Seasons of Our Lives: A Resource Guide of the Music”
A Resource Guide of the Music, Books, Films, and Videos of Jewish Life Cycle Occasions
Jewish Welfare Board
COMPOSER, LYRICIST & RECORDINGS
Lyricist – “May You Heal”
with composer Mark Sirett, 2022
“The May You Heal Project,” published by Hal Leonard
Recording – “May You Heal”
with Essential Voices USA
Acis, 2022
- “May You Heal” expresses the human needs and emotions involved in the process of healing from illness. The hope is that it speaks to people of all faiths as well as to those with none.
The recording was made on November 2, 2021, at the DiMenna Space for Classical Music, during the Pandemic. Singers of Essential Voices USA joined conductor Judith Clurman and pianist James Cunningham.
Bruce ‘s text was the first piece these professional singers sang together, since the beginning of the pandemic in March, 2020. The recording session was a highly emotional moment.
May You Heal by Bruce L. Ruben
May you heal.
May you be well again.
May you be brave.
May you lean on friends and family.
May you return to health and wholeness.
May you be joyous.
May you heal.
May you be well again.
Composer – “Circle of Light” A Psalm Cycle for Cantor/Choir/Instruments (
published by G. Schirmer Music, 2014
Recording – “Circle of Life”
with Essential Voices USA; Bruce L. Ruben, baritone
Sono Luminus, 2014
- The Circle of Life cycle of three psalms captures key ritual moments in the life cycle of the Jew. Birth, marriage, and death are the powerful milestones that frame our existence. “Baruch HaBa” – Blessed is he who comes in the name of God (Psalm 118:26) – is chanted at the beginning of a circumcision, as a baby is welcomed into the covenant and again at the beginning of the wedding ceremony to greet the bride and groom. “Adonai Maon” – God, you have been our refuge in all generations (Psalm 90:1-2) – is sung at a funeral and in the Memorial service in the Reform liturgy. “Ivdu et Adonai “– Worship God in joy (Psalm 100:2) – is sung at many joyous occasions and is included in some versions of the Reform wedding ceremony.
The music for Circle of Life was all composed while I served as the cantor at Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City. “Baruch Haba” was written to celebrate the arrival of Rabbi Lester Bronstein as assistant rabbi. “Adonai Maon” was used regularly in our Memorial services, and “Ivdu et Adonai” was composed in honor of Rabbi Harvey M. Tattelbaum, for whom this psalm captures the life-affirming spirit of Judaism.
Liner Notes – “Cherished Moments: Songs of the Jewish Spirit,”
Sono Luminus, 2014
“I must commend Hazzan Bruce Ruben both for his compositions as well as for their performances. The music is beautiful and reflects the spirit of the respective texts.”
The Jewish Post and Opinion, Indianapolis, Indiana
“Bruce Ruben bring depths of understanding to his music. “
St. Louis Post Dispatch
“’Circle of Life,’ another multitrack cycle with baritone Cantor Bruce Ruben as soloist, captures the introspective aspects of the Jewish experience.”
Broadway World Classical
Recording – “Shaaray Tefilla”
Various cantorial works, 2006
Recording – “Shabbat Anthology”
Transcontinental Music, 2003
Composer – “Baruch Haba,” for mixed chorus and organ 1989
Included in “Circle of Life” publication and recording