Rabbi Allen I. Freehling, 88
Rabbi Allen I. Freehling, a giant in the Jewish community and a champion of human and civil rights passed away peacefully on January 6, 2021, with his wife, Lori by his side. He was 88 years old.
Born in Chicago, raised in Miami, Rabbi Freehling graduated from the University of Miami. At age 30, he enrolled in Hebrew Union College, and subsequently served a congregation in Toledo, Ohio before coming to Los Angeles to begin serving as the Senior Rabbi at the University Synagogue in Los Angeles.
For the next 30 years, his visionary leadership skills, sympathetic ear, wise counsel, and warm embrace helped grow the congregation from a membership of over 200 families to more than 1,000. Under his guidance, the synagogue emerged as a dynamic proponent of Reform Judaism. Rabbi Freehling worked tirelessly as a community activist to improve the lives of all people in Los Angeles. He helped the burgeoning homeless populations. He co-created interfaith dialogues