Stuart Weinblatt
It is often difficult to guide young families toward participation in a congregation, other than to enroll their children in preschool or religious school. Rabbi Weinblatt has a special talent for touching this population. I have watched how he attracted my intellectual, skeptical Israeli son-in-law into becoming an active member by initially offering something that he could relate to — breakfast meetings for young professionals to discuss Jewish business ethics. After that, it was easy to convince my daughter and her husband to attend a family retreat where prayer, Torah study and discussion were a natural part of the weekend. My daughter commented to the rabbi, “What did you do to my husband?” She saw her reluctant husband bonding with other young fathers, vigorously arguing a point in the Talmud and praying fervently. Prior to that, Rabbi Weinblatt was a frequent presence as we watched my husband die of a brain tumor and my son die two months later of a connective tissue disorder. I cannot imagine what those years would have been like without him. He is a rare rabbi who is able to blend the Jewish elements of secular life with the spiritual aspects that are crucial to me and my family.
— Iris Myles
+ 9 other nominations
Watch Rabbi Weinblatt discuss his life and work:
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
