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Rabbi David J. Susskind D.D., 84, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth-El, St. Petersburg passed away suddenly on January 7, 2008. Son of the late Joseph and Rose Susskind, he was born in New York City and moved to St. Petersburg in 1957 to assume the pulpit at Temple Beth-El. His vast educational accomplishments include the Talmudical Academy and Teachers Institute of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Theological Seminary (1936-40); earned his B.A. Yeshiva College, NY, 1944; was ordained Jewish Institute of Religion, NY, 1949, M. Hebrew Letters; and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, 1974, Doctor of Divinity.

His rabbinical duties included serving Temple Beth-El, St. Petersburg, FL from 1957-1987; Shearith Israel Congregation, Wharton Texas, circuit riding among three Jewish communities (1949-1951); Euclid Jewish Center, Euclid, Ohio, founding Rabbi (1951-1953) Temple of Liberal Judaism, Orlando, FL, first Rabbi (1953-1957); Civilian Chaplain at five Air Force Bases in Central Florida including Patrick AFB at Cape Canaveral (1953-1957); Bay Pines Medical Center, VA Hospital (1957-1996) and cruise ships chaplain beginning in 1985. He was a Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at Eckerd College, St. Leo's College and St. Petersburg College. He served with colleagues in Florida and Southeast founding the association that was to become SEACCAR (Southeast Association Central Conference of American Rabbis) serving as Secretary and then President; initiated the summer camp programs for teenagers that developed into SEFTY (Southeast Federation of Temple Youth) and the establishment of the UAHC Camp Coleman (Union of American Hebrew Congregations), served as Dean on the Camp Committee for a number of years. Represented CCAR and the Committee on Justice and Peace at the 1964 march in Selma, AL. Founded the religious action group called RUACH (Religions United for Action in Community) with judicatory representatives of the major faiths and served as Chairman for several terms. Initiated with a handful of community leaders, a St. Petersburg chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and served on its Board for nine years.

He was selected for singular honor by the St. Petersburg Bar Association to receive their prestigious Liberty Bell Award for Outstanding Citizenship at their Law Day observance. He also served a two year term on the Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar Association. Recognition for civic service came in the form of Citations by Mayors and keys to the City. In the arena of human and social services, he served as a Board Member of the following: United Way, American Cancer-Heart Lung Association, Goodwill, Adult Mental Clinic, President of Mental Health Association, Aids Coalition and Hospice. Activity was pursued with comparable zeal and effort in the Jewish Community with Federation, Bonds for Israel, Jewish Family Services, Holocaust Museum and Temple Beth-El Affiliates.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Bernice Meppen Susskind; son Jonathan Susskind and sisters Beatrice Weinstein and Fanny Ziff.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving children Dr. Brian M. Susskind and his wife Laurinda Ogborn and Sandra Block-Brezner and her husband Jeffrey; brother Ralph Susskind; sisters Dr. Dorothy J. Susskind and Malka Gordon and her husband Rabbi James Gordon and cherished grandchildren Zachary J. Susskind and Stacy Rebecca Block; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be 2PM Thursday January 10, 2008 at Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Avenue South with Rabbi Michael Torop and members of the Pinellas County Board of Rabbis officiating. Interment will follow at Royal Palm Cemetery-South. Please omit flowers. The family respectfully requests memorials to Temple Beth-El or Hebrew Union College, 3101 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati OH 45220-2488. 

David C. Gross Funeral Homes is serving the family.

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Rabbi J. Susskind Obituary | Altogether