Rabbi Donny Schwartz

“For me and hundreds of other teens, Rabbi Donny was an inspirational guide through the madness of high school. Before Donny, I pictured rabbis as old, distant men making boring speeches at Shabbat services and the High Holy Days. Donny worked tirelessly to create a multitude of opportunitie that would engage high school students. Whether it was leading a group trip to New York or speaking at a youth group convention, Donny seemed to be everywhere. Because of this constant interaction, he “gets” what teenagers are going through. He made Judaism accessible to a demographic that is often times unreceptive. As a college student now, I may not remember every word he said, but the Jew that I am today, and the one that I am seeking to become, was undoubtedly shaped by his valuable lessons.”

—ETHAN RITZ