Rabbi Pennes - a legacy of warmth and service

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 Sheldon Pennes was the Rabbi for Temple B’nai Emet from 1992 through 2024 and his warmth, humor and faith left an indelible imprint on congregants and all who met him. A true teacher, Rabbi Pennes advocated for all the children of G-d of all ages and backgrounds. TBE is traditionally a conservative Temple, Rabbi Pennes embraced inclusion, noting that Conservative Temples flourish in many cultures and therefore, he ministered to Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Orthodox, Reform, Latinos, and all those that desired community and congregation. His genuine, affable personality blended perfectly with his immense leadership skills that included leading by example. Among the many ways he served all communities, Rabbi Pennes co-founded the Jewish Hospice Project of Los Angeles, served on the board of the Jewish National Fund in the Los Angeles area, was a member of the Southwest region of the Rabbinical Assembly, served on the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, and served on the Rabbinic Advisory and Religious Practices committees of the Milken Community High School.

His genuine, affable personality blended perfectly with his immense leadership skills that included leading by example. Among the many ways he served all communities, Rabbi Pennes co-founded the Jewish Hospice Project of Los Angeles, served on the board of the Jewish National Fund in the Los Angeles area, was a member of the Southwest region of the Rabbinical Assembly, served on the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, and served on the Rabbinic Advisory and Religious Practices committees of the Milken Community High School.

Constantly teaching, a TBE congregant shared once that Rabbi Pennes had a moving interpretation of the word “b’tsror” in the phrase “Let his soul be bound up in the bonds of the living” that is found in El Maleh Rachamim: it is a play on the ancient Hebrew word “tsror” for “pebble” and, in ancient Israel, like a shepherd would use pebbles to count sheep, the act of leaving of a pebble at a Jewish grave could be a reminder of our desire that G-d, like a shepherd, will count and care for our friends and mishpacha.