Stone, Earl Stanley, Rabbi, 1914-1992

Biography

1st Jewish Chaplain in the U.S. Army in the European Theater. From his obituary:"Born July 2, 1914, in Childs, Pa., Rabbi Stone graduated from Syracuse University in 1934 and was ordained a rabbi at the Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1939.

He served as an assistant rabbi at Temple Isaiah Israel in Chicago until he joined the Army in 1941.

Rabbi Stone was one of the first Jewish chaplains to enter the European theater during World War II. He served on the front lines during the invasion of North Africa, Sicily and southern France. He later became a staff member of the Army Chaplain School and was a major in the Army Reserve. He was decorated with the Presidential Unit Citation, six battle stars, three bronze arrows and the Bronze Star. He married Judith Wilensky on June 4, 1942, in Jacksonville, Fla. Rabbi Stone returned from the war to serve as associate rabbi at the temple in Cleveland in 1948 with well-known Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver. He became rabbi and spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel in Denver in 1956. "He came at a time when there were a number of problems and he kept the congregation together," said Rabbi Foster. Rabbi Stone also was active with interfaith organizations and activities, and was the first rabbi ever asked to preach at the then-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. "He was appreciated throughout the religious community," said the Rev. Earl Hanna, Rose Medical Center chaplain. "He was very open, very kindly in his relationships with people of other faiths." Friends remembered him for his compassion and humor. 'You could tell him a good joke - he appreciated a good joke and he could tell a good joke," Rabbi Foster said. He was also invaluable as a confidant. "There was never a time, if I was in a quandary, when I couldn't go to him for advice," Rabbi Foster said. "He understood the rabbinate, he understood the congregation and he understood the pitfalls that we faced." Others remembered him also for his community activities. "He was a magnificent person," said attorney Nathan L. Baum, a longtime friend. "Denver has lost a wonderful citizen. He had great love for not only the congregation but for the entire community." Rabbi Stone served in a number of organizations, including the Denver Council of Boy Scouts of America, the boards of Colorado Mental Health Association, Planned Parenthood, National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Denver Rabbinical Council of what is now Rose Medical Center. He was active with the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Family and Children's Service, Central Conference of American Rabbis and lectured for the Jewish Chautauqua Society. One of his proudest achievements was being named president of the Rotary Club of Denver in 1972, becoming the first Jew to serve in that position, according to Rabbi Foster. "

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