First African American woman rabbi, Denver's Alysa Uriel Stanton, brings people of all backgrounds together
"My Hebrew name is Rabah Eliana Eliza Bat Avraham, daughter of Anne and Avraham," said Stanton. "Eliza means 'God has answered and brought me joy.' Stanton is 'of great worth.'"
Rabbi Stanton's name holds meaning, just as her life's work does.
Her story began in Cleveland, where she was raised in a Pentecostal home. Her mother believed faith was non-negotiable, but where they worshiped was up to them. This freedom to explore opened a door she never expected.
"My first exposure to Judaism was by my devout Catholic uncle, who spoke eight languages. He gave me my first Hebrew grammar book at age 10. I still have it to this day," recalled Stanton.
What began as a childhood curiosity evolved into a life-changing commitment. While pursuing a master's in psychology she took a bold step: converting to Judaism.
"This very room was the place that Rabbi Foster shared that I was accepted. There was a lot of joy, and then the story broke that I would be the first African American woman Rabbi in the world," Stanton said.
She underwent rigorous training to become a rabbi. Stanton said, "About ordination, that still brings tears to my eyes. Because it was quite a journey."
Even after earning her place in the rabbinical world, she faced skepticism about finding a position.
"I was told that because I was Black, older, and a woman, I probably wouldn't get one," explained Stanton.
In rooms where she sought belonging, she often felt unwanted.
"It was hard, painful to walk into a room and know that your presence is not desired. A person once told me, however, the right path is not always the easiest path," she said.
But she refused to be defined by others' expectations, embracing the title given to her as "The Rabbi of the People." Now affiliated with Temple Emanuel, she sought to be a bridge, bringing people of all backgrounds together.
"I know who I am as a Jew. I will live and die a Jew. But being of our Creator spiritually goes beyond Judaism," said Stanton.
Her message this Black History Month is one of light in darkness.
"Just look at our commonalities. See how our commonalities, like puzzle pieces, can fit together and organize people and organize power, can evoke change. I am a living witness not to give up. Anybody can get through easy times, but now is the time to show what we are really made of."
Rabbi Stanton's story serves as a powerful testament that embracing who you are not only breaks barriers, it paves the way for others to follow.
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- Hamilton Spectator
At 102, D-Day veteran looks forward to a long-delayed bar mitzvah
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Harold Terens fought in World War II. He's lived almost 102 years, celebrating his birthday a couple weeks early with family and friends in Florida. But he has something more to look forward to. His bar mitzvah. Terens said at his birthday celebration Saturday that his brother got the traditional Jewish ceremony marking the beginning of adulthood when they were kids living in New York, but he did not. 'My mother came from Poland. My father came from Russia. And my mother was a religious Jew. And my father was anti-religious. So they had two sons. And one son, they compromised. One son got bar mitzvahed, the other son didn't,' he said. Early next year, Terens said he will finally enjoy that ceremony. At the Pentagon outside Washington, no less. Terens said that came about when he was talking with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on a TV panel and a rabbi overheard the conversation. 'I mentioned that I would like to be bar mitzvahed at 103 and he's the rabbi of the Pentagon so that's my next bucket list. I am going to be bar mitzvahed in the Pentagon,' Terens said. Terens turns 102 on Aug. 6. So Saturday's party was a little early. On D-Day — June 6, 1944 — Terens helped repair planes returning from France so they could rejoin the battle. He said half his company's pilots died that day. Terens went to France 12 days later, helping transport freshly captured Germans and just-freed American POWs back to England. Terens was honored in June 2024 by the French as part of the 80th anniversary celebration of their country's liberation from the Nazis. But that isn't all that happened on those Normandy beaches. He married Jeanne Swerlin, now 97. 'I thought my wedding in Normandy last year was the highlight of my life. Number one of all the moments of my life. You know, that's the saying, that life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away,' Terens said. He survived World War ll, was involved in a secret mission in Iran, another time barely escaping a German rocket after leaving a London pub just before it was destroyed. 'My life has been one huge fairy tale, especially with this new wife that I have. Who I love deeply and who I am going to spend the rest of my life till death do us part, as the mayor had us say in Normandy,' Terens said. After the German surrender in 1945, Terens helped transport freed Allied prisoners to England before he shipped back to the U.S. a month later. He married his wife Thelma in 1948 and they had two daughters and a son. He became a U.S. vice president for a British conglomerate. They moved from New York to Florida in 2006 after Thelma retired as a French teacher; she died in 2018 after 70 years of marriage. He has eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Terens gets asked a lot about his secret to longevity. 'I think if you can learn how to minimize stress, you'll go a long way. You'll add at least 10 years to your life. So that is number one. And 90% is luck,' he said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
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- San Francisco Chronicle
At 102, D-Day veteran looks forward to a long-delayed bar mitzvah
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