Rabbi Kassel Elijah Abelson Obituary (1924 - 2023)

Rabbi Kassel Elijah Abelson began his service to Beth El Synagogue in 1948 as assistant rabbi to David Aronson. He has continued his ties to the congregation and community for 75 years. With his beloved Shirley Raskin Abelson, Rabbi Abelson created a warm, caring, and inclusive community based on the words of Moses, “with our young and with our old we move into the future together.” Camp Ramah was built on the foundation of his commitment to Conservative Judaism and his vision for a national youth movement helped create United Synagogue Youth. He was very proud to have served as an Air Force chaplain in Morocco. Rabbi Abelson was a gentleman and a gentle-man, drawing people together with his personal touch marked by humility and warmth, compassion and optimism. Kass loved the generations of his family and all branches of his family tree. All of the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved their Abba, Saba, and Saba Raba. Rabbi Abelson was honored nationally for his service to the Rabbinical Assembly with the support of his wife, Joan Lipnick Abelson. As president of the international RA and as the chair of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, Rabbi Abelson brought colleagues together in the spirit of respectful discourse and open dialogue. Donations in his memory may be directed to Beth El’s Rabbi Kassel Abelson USY Leadership Fund or Beth El’s Shirley R. Abelson Aleph Preschool Fund. Gifts in Rabbi Abelson’s name may be made to STEP in St. Louis Park or – as Rabbi Abelson would appreciate – to any tzedakah program. Funeral service 11:30 am, SUNDAY, July 23rd, at Beth El Synagogue, 5225 Barry St. W., St. Louis Park, followed by a private family burial. Everyone is invited to the SHIVA MINYAN to honor Rabbi Abelson at 7:00 pm, Sunday evening, at Beth El Synagogue. Service and shiva on zoom at www.hodroffs.com/RabbiKasselAbelson