Recently, I became aware of the passing of author, social activist Rabbi Arthur Waskow, who packed a lot of punch into his 92 years.

His legacy lives on in the hearts and deeds of each person he encountered. For me, that first meeting was monumental. It was at Temple University, where I majored in journalism, enrolling in an elective he taught titled “Variety of Religions.”

My spiritual worldview was seen through the lens of a Catholic. However, each week, students were charged with visiting a different place of worship, researching their traditions, interviewing an elder, writing a report, and delivering our findings in front of the class.

Rabbi Waskow took a particular interest in my reports, encouraging me to learn more, do more, and be more in life.

When I proudly share that I’m a Temple grad, without prompting, I launch into what this course and this man meant in my spiritual growth. I was also able to hone the gift of seeing both sides to every story. With him, there was no “right or wrong.”

I’m told there have been countless social media posts, and outreach from his “legacy keepers” to his wife, Rabbi Phyllis Berman. Imams, ministers, and fellow rabbis have come forward testifying to the influence he had on so many — like me.

After traveling far and wide in my career, I settled back in the Philadelphia area and found him not retired and sitting on his laurels, but at the head of The Shalom Center. It was through their emails that I again followed his journey. One day, I was so moved that I picked up the phone, dialed the number, and got straight through to him with no middleman. I shared what he meant to me.

I proudly and humbly add my name to the list of so many who have and will become his legacy.

Barbara Sherf

Mt. Airy