Rabbi Philip N. Kranz

LIVESTREAM: Please click here to attend the funeral service at Temple Sinai via livestream.

SHIVA: Shiva will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM at Temple Sinai.

OBITUARY

Philip Neil Kranz, 83, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Sinai, Sandy Springs, passed away April 12, 2026.  Born in Cleveland, OH, Phil was the son of Alyce Bogen and Benjamin Robert Kranz.  He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Nancy Weston Kranz, daughters: Rebecca Kranz Friedman (Keven) of New Jersey and Abigail Kranz Ornstein (Bob) of Washington, sister, Shari Kranz Porter, nephews: Doug (Karen) and David (Robyn) Porter, niece: Debbi Porter, grandchildren, Madeline Emilia Friedman, Ariel Bernard Friedman, Celia Sunshine Ornstein, Sasha Bina Ornstein, mother-in-law, Marilyn Weston, sisters-in-law, Laurie Pappas (Edward) and Kathy Pincus (Michael).  Phil, or Petie, as his Cleveland friends called him, loved Ohio State University and his college friends along with his Rabbinic friends from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH. He trained as a Naval Chaplain while in rabbinical school. He was a proud Cleveland native. He was a loving and doting father, grandfather, and trusted counselor to so many of his congregants from student rabbi days in Lincoln, NE and Bainbridge, GA to his first pulpit at Chicago Sinai Congregation, and finally at Temple Sinai in Atlanta where he spent the bulk of his career (26 years). He was a former Atlanta Planned Parenthood president, a past Atlanta Rabbinic board member, Holy Innocents School board member, and an honorary board member of the American Jewish Committee.  He led Temple Sinai trips to Israel and other locations abroad.  He taught sociology of religion at Georgia State University and Agnes Scott College.  He loved classical music and maintained a large collection. He was an avid reader and collector of books. The library at Temple Sinai was named in his honor, and he was very proud of it. He was an avid fly fisherman in his earlier years.  His advice was widely sought and he was a dear friend and teacher to so many in the Atlanta area and beyond. He loved the Temple Sinai youth and seeing them grow, prosper and marry, and some went on to become rabbis, citing Phil as a mentor.  He was a widely sought-after speaker by many Jewish and non-Jewish organizations.  A memorial service will take place 12:30 pm on Wednesday, April 15 at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Dr NW, Sandy Springs.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kranz Institute of Jewish Learning Fund at Temple Sinai.  Zichrono Livracha. May his memory forever be for a blessing.  Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999