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Jewish Community News

News: October 2006

Rabbi Pressman celebrates 25 years with Congregation Beth David

By Cecily Ruttenberg

Rabbi Daniel Pressman sifts through a bulging file folder in search of an early photograph of himself for the newspaper. “This one isn’t that old,” he rejects. “Here’s one,” he offers, handing over a young photograph of himself.

The photograph shows a young Rabbi Daniel Pressman in 1986, six years after his 1981 start at Congregation Beth David. Wearing large-framed, 1970s glasses, with black hair, Pressman holds a “Resolution” presented to him by an adult b’nai mitzvah class. Reading off the names of those in the class, Pressman makes note of where each person is now. “Oh this person moved, and this person died, but this person and this person and this person are still here.” He finishes reading down the list, softly commenting on each person’s whereabouts.

This month, Rabbi Pressman celebrates 25 years as Congregation Beth David’s rabbi. In his honor, the synagogue is hosting a series of celebrations dubbed “Quarter Century Ride,” a tribute to Pressman’s love of bicycling. Events will include a catered Shabbat dinner on Friday, Nov. 17, a festive Kiddush lunch the next day, and “Oy What a Night” that night featuring a “Borscht Belt Catskills” dinner, music, and comedy in a delightful madcap tribute.

Congregants are gearing up to honor the man who has led them through life’s most momentous passages—b’nei mitzvot, marriage, birth, sickness and deaths.

Pressman’s friends, supporters and colleagues describe him as an articulate, scholarly and solid spiritual leader.

Longtime congregant and friend Rich Tavan sums up Pressman as follows: “He’s non-pretentious; he’s intellectual without being academic; he’s very concerned not only about his own community but about the worldwide Jewish community and worldwide events beyond the Jewish community.”

Indeed, Pressman is known for his scholarly pursuits. The overflowing book shelves in his office leave very little space for the rabbi himself. While he admits he hasn’t read ALL the books in his office, he has read many. “I enjoy study, preparing for sermons,” he says.

Pressman’s congregants and colleagues have also credited him with leaving his ego at home, and truly embracing every person’s contribution to synagogue life.

“Here’s somebody who has been in a position for a very long time, and he’s treated me as a full colleague from the moment I walked in the door,” said assistant Rabbi Aaron Schonbrun. “One of the reasons that I think he is so successful is that he really listens to people.”

Schonbrun further lauds Pressman for Beth David’s progress and growth. “Rabbi Pressman really is a part of creating the vision of Beth David. A kehilla kodesh (a holy community.) He puts a tremendous amount of time and dedication and thought and warmth into the congregation, mixed with a nice dose of humor.”

Pressman was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of a conservative Rabbi. He grew up in his father’s shul (Beth Am), attended Camp Ramah for many summers and was very involved with USY.

“In high school through my first semester of college, I was going to be a doctor,” Pressman recalls. “Then I changed that. It wasn’t a big flash of light. People said it was because of my father, but I had to come to it on my own.”

At the tender of age of 17, Rabbi Pressman met his now wife Beverly. (She was 15.) In 1969, the couple married and at age 19 and 21, moved to New York City where Pressman attended the Jewish Theological Seminary while Beverly went to Barnard College.

After graduation, the couple returned to Los Angeles where Pressman served as rabbi for a conservative synagogue for seven years. In 1981, the Pressman’s came to San Jose after accepting the rabbi position at Congregation Beth David.

During his tenure, Pressman has helped the synagogue grow from approximately 400 families to 560 today. He was instrumental in growing Beth David’s Hebrew High program, Chevrat Chesed (assisting the congregants in times of need) and the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society). Communally, Pressman was very instrumental in organizing community efforts for Darfur. He has also been involved in helping launch SBI (the South Bay Jewish lecture series) and CAER (Council of Agency Executives and Rabbis).

From a broader perspective, Pressman has continually reinvented the synagogue as has been necessary. While abiding by the rules and guidelines of the Conservative movement, Pressman has come to feel that the synagogue should do more to outreach to intermarried families. He has also worked with lay leaders and Rabbi Schonbrun to ramp up outreach to young, Jewish adults. Regarding gay members of the Jewish community, Pressman said he follows the guidelines of the Conservative movement.

“The law committee is expected to come out with a position on this soon. For now, I don’t officiate at gay marriages because that’s what the movement tells me. But on a personal level I think we should be welcoming to all Jews.” Pressman said.

Congregants say they appreciate Pressman’s honesty, humor and unyielding support. “I consider him a friend and confidant,” said Hebrew High Principal Lindsay Greensweig. “I can tell him anything and get an honest answer. And he always has a joke for everything.”

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