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The detailed green, orange, red and yellow rug that Hyman purchased in Israel 40 years ago for $3,200 using his parents’ credit card (which he has since paid them back for in full), is more than a woven work of art that brightens his office. It’s a bridge, connecting people of different faiths in the community.

Creating bridges between people and groups has been something of a priority in Hyman’s more than four-decade career. Hyman — who is retiring in October after 18 years at Temple B’nai Israel — said that through demystifying and teaching people about a group or a person, you can “wipe out the bigotry and the stupidity.”

“That’s an important thing,” he said. “That’s how you build relationships.”

Hyman remembers the first time the temple worked with the local Muslim community. He asked the president and vice president of the mosque if they could come in and translate the Arabic words on his rug.

“And they were just blown away that this was on the rabbi’s wall,” Hyman said.

Hyman said he loves the rug because it means something to him.

“People come in, especially Muslim folks come in, and they see this, and it creates a bridge,” he said.

Throughout his career, Hyman has tried to build those bridges in multiple ways. He said he has established relationships with leaders from different groups and institutions, such as Father James Nash at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and Richard Potter with the NAACP.

“Building relationships that not only create friendships, but cement ties,” he said.

A moment that Hyman is especially proud of, which highlights his efforts to build bridges, is his trip to Saudi Arabia. He went as the national Jewish chaplain for Scouting America. Hyman said it was the most amazing experience of his life because as a Jewish rabbi, he was welcomed and embraced in the Muslim country.

“This was a long time ago now, but I still maintain correspondence a few times a year,” he said. “Like when it’s Ramadan, I send all my Muslim friends ‘Ramadan Mubarak.’”

Ben Schlesinger, who served as president of the temple from 2021 to 2023, said Hyman has a respect for and understanding of other religions. Schlesinger said Hyman leaves the door open for all people.

“If you want to talk to him, you can always talk to him, from any position or stance,” Schlesinger said. “We have a lot of interfaith members in our temple. A husband and wife of different religions. ... He’s very accepting of that.”

In 2021, Hyman was awarded the Bronze Wolf Award, which is the Scouts’ highest honor. According to Scouts’ website, the award, which is presented by the World Scout Committee, recognizes the service, commitment and contributions of volunteers to the Scout movement. Hyman said he received the award for his interfaith activities and “building bridges between people and nations.”

Schlesinger said that through Scouts, Hyman has participated in the broader community on a regular basis.

“In that role, he’s built wonderful relationships within the community,” Schlesinger said.

Although Hyman doesn’t have any plans to leave Easton once he retires in October, he does have some travel plans in the works. He said he is planning to be a part of the clergy contingent on cruise ships for holidays like Hanukkah and Passover.

“Wherever they send me, I’ll be glad to go,” he said.

It is not yet known who will be taking Hyman’s place as rabbi at Temple B’nai Israel. Hyman said a search committee has been tasked with this.

Looking back on his career, Hyman said Easton’s Temple B’nai Israel has been his favorite of the four synagogues he served in.

“When I first came, I said I didn’t care how big we are, I cared that we were seen as legitimate participants in the broader community,” he said. “And that was always very important to me. And we’ve done that.”

Elaine Friedman — who has been a member of the temple for 31 years and was president for six years — said Hyman has been “a breath of fresh air” for the synagogue. She talked about how the temple has grown since Hyman has been there.

“He, along with our active members, created a wonderful space for education, for religion, for socializing,” she said. “He brought us all together for that.”

Hyman said he thinks it’s his time to retire and pass on the torch.

“I think it’s important to leave and pass it on to somebody younger (who will) hopefully protect and maintain and preserve the foundation and build on what we’ve done,” he said.