Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky

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:

This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.

We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover.

This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.

With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.

The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Make a gift today.

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT