November 22, 2023

Steven Kushner had originally planned to retire at 70. However, at 65, he began feeling fatigued, noticing the strain of evening meetings and realizing his body was signaling a need to slow down.

By June 2018, he retired and received the honorary title of Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Ner Tamid. Eager to venture into uncharted territory, he sought something entirely new.

Throughout his rabbinic career, Steven’s creativity had largely been expressed through writing and speaking. Yet, in 2017, anticipating retirement, he tapped into his visual side. He started sharing his photos on Facebook, receiving encouraging feedback from friends and congregation members.

That’s when he wanted to finally—after a lifetime of taking pictures—begin a process of learning how to make pictures. Although he does not formally identify as a photographer, when asked Steven is very comfortable saying that he does serious photography. In this episode, Rabbi Steven shares an extraordinary journey marked by unexpected transitions and explorations.

We discussed:

• Steven’s childhood dream to be the shortstop for the Detroit Tigers
• How he cultivated a reputation as a film aficionado within the synagogue
• Why Steven decided to retire five years earlier than his initial plan
• The unexpected emotional challenge of retiring (and a quest for unexplored endeavors) 
• How he dove into photography with the guidance of a friend 
• The journey of learning and refining his craft that proved immensely gratifying

Connect with Steven

https://stevenkushnerphotography.com/portfolio

Headshot Photo Credit: Nick Levitin Photography