Cardinal Maida called Rabbi Groner “truly a giant among the spiritual leaders in our community” and a “visionary religious leader.” The cardinal said the rabbi was a model for his congregation and “a deeply spiritual, loving and caring man of God.”
“He and I shared a reciprocal presence and friendship with one another, focused on religion and our community. His leadership in helping build the Religious Leaders Forum in the 1990s, which came to bring together religious leaders of many faiths, was truly inspiring for the religious community in Metro Detroit,” Cardinal Maida said.
“He was a dear friend who generously shared his many spiritual gifts with me and other religious leaders in our community. May he rest in the peace of Abraham’s bosom and God’s love. We will miss him dearly.”
Rabbi Groner was president of the Rabbinical Assembly from 1990-92 and was president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis. He published a book, “Renewing Jewish Faith,” and wrote a column for the Detroit Jewish News.
He is survived by his wife, Leypsa Groner; sons Dr. Joel Groner and Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner; as well as a sister, three grandchildren and his friend and caregiver, Marek Stepniak. Five siblings and a daughter, Deborah Groner, preceded him in death.
