B. Charles (Chuck) Herring

HERRING: B. Charles Herring (Chuck), Jan. 5, 2026 — rabbi, educator, community builder. Born Jan. 26, 1939, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to Lucille and Dr. A. Alan Herring, Chuck Herring grew up in Squirrel Hill and attended Wightman Elementary and Taylor Allderdice High School. He earned his degree at the University of Pittsburgh (finishing one credit short) and was a member of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity. He studied at Hebrew Union College (HUC) – Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati). Ordained May 28, 1965, at Plum Street Synagogue in Cincinnati. Chuck met his lifelong love, Barbara Levin, of McKeesport in Temple Youth Group (MAFTY) during high school; they married on Aug. 27, 1961. After HUC, he served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force (stationed at Tachikawa, Japan), then began his rabbinic career in 1968 at Temple Beth Israel (Phoenix, Arizona), where he built a vibrant youth program, created a contemporary Friday night service, and fostered a welcoming community. He later became the founding rabbi of Temple Kol Ami (Scottsdale, Arizona), creating a warm and welcoming congregation. A tireless advocate for tikkun olam, Chuck championed Soviet Jewry, supported migrant farmworkers, and helped establish Mitzvah Corps/Camp Swift. After 9/11, he partnered with the Muslim community to promote conversation and the sharing of cultures. His “Divine Messages” were his hallmark. He officiated the bnai mitzvah of hundreds and remained active in SWFTY & NFTY, inspiring countless youth and families over the years. He received the Samuel Cook Award for Lifetime Service in Youth in 2003. Chuck loved cooking, gardening, travel, history, enjoying and creating art, reading and telling stories to anyone who would listen. Chuck’s greatest joy was his family: wife, Barbara; daughters Laura (Paul) Greenland, Wendy Herring (Scott Ambrose), and Debbie Rovin (Scott); and the best Bubba to Alison (Alex), Jorey (Alex), Ross, Zack, Max and Gabrielle. PJC