Background
Herbert Mark Baumgard was born on August 3, 1920, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. He was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Segal) Baumgard.
Charlottesville, VA, United States
University of Virginia Campus
Hebrew Union College Logo
New York, United States
Hebrew Union College
New York, United States
Temple B'nai Israel
Pinecrest, Florida, United States
Temple Beth Am
United States Army Logo
Central Conference of American Rabbis Logo
New York, United States
Columbia Law School Campus
Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami Logo
Herbert Mark Baumgard was born on August 3, 1920, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. He was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Segal) Baumgard.
Herbert Baumgard graduated from the University of Virginia in 1941 where he was a member of the Hillel and Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. Next, he attended Columbia Law School, where he was captain of the debate team.
Herbert Baumgard was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1950 and earned his doctorate in Hebrew Letters in 1956. He began his rabbinical career at Temple B'nai Israel in Elmont, New York.
In 1955, Herbert Baumgard moved with his family down to Miami and was the founding rabbi of Temple Beth Am, located in Pinecrest, Florida. He served as the head rabbi there for over 30 years.
Upon retiring in 1987, Herbert Baumgard had built it from 55 families meeting at a church to 1,700 families on a 14-acre campus that included a day school and a youth basketball league, becoming the largest Reform congregation in the Southeast. He was among the Jewish leaders to meet with Pope John Paul II during his 1987 visit to Miami.
Herbert Baumgard passed away on April 15, 2016, at the age of 95.
United States Army , United States
1942 - 1946
Synagogue Council of America , United States
1985 - 1987
Alumni Association of Hebrew Union College , United States
1970 - 1980
Central Conference of American Rabbis , United States
1975 - 1976
Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami , United States
1971 - 1972
Herbert Baumgard married Selma Geller, one of his students at Colombia who would later found the Temple Beth Am choir. They had three children: Jonathan, Daniel, and Shira.