For 125 years, the Forward has delivered accurate, timely and nuanced news to American Jews. From breaking news to in-depth investigations, our reporting team covers the people, institutions and issues that define the many ways to be Jewish in the…
News
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most
Larry Rothwachs
Rabbi Larry Rothwachs is a tzaddik. To look at him, you see a handsome, diminutive, traditional-looking Orthodox Jew. He answers questions with wisdom and compassion, and when something is out of his area of expertise, he humbly defers to those upon whom he relies for counsel. Rabbi Rothwachs typically shares our life cycle events, as…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Justin Goldstein
For the first time in my life, and in the nine years of my Jewish professional life, I find myself yearning to go to shul. Rabbi Justin has figured out how to encourage Jewish learning in a way that is relevant and important, while also being accessible for the “lay learner.” While I have truly…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Royi Shaffin
I can personally attest to Rabbi Shaffin’s ability to change lives, as he very literally changed mine. Nearly three years after I had begun my path toward conversion but had been unable to find someone who both inspired me and was willing to really welcome me into the Jewish community, Rabbi Royi took me in…
The Latest
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Seth Goldstein
Rabbi Goldstein has been able to unite a diverse community of Jews with a wide range of beliefs and practices in a fairly small town with compassion, humor and education. He inspires believers and nonbelievers alike, showing what Judaism has to offer to anyone who identifies with the Jewish community. I feel honored that he…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Rona Shapiro
In a relatively short time at our shul, Rabbi Shapiro has created a sea change in our congregational learning. Every Shabbat our service is preceded by a superb new “Bread and Torah” session in which the rabbi discusses aspects of the weekly Torah portion. This session now always has 40 to 60 people meeting in…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Jessy Gross
Jessy is a down-to-earth rabbi who works for the JCC in Baltimore. In a city that was previously lacking a community feel for young adults, Rabbi Jessy changed that by starting and running the vibrant young adult group in Baltimore, Charm City Tribe. Rabbi Jessy makes the Jewish community, traditions and holidays accessible for young…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Joshua Skoff
I have seen rabbis come and go in my 58 years of membership at Park Synagogue. Rabbi Skoff came 25 years ago and has been uplifting and inspiring. Our synagogue has grown to 1,800 families. He knows everyone by name and is very friendly to everyone. The most important thing he has done in my…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Lauren Holtzblatt
Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt is one of the most important and inspiring reasons why Adas Israel has evolved in so many positive, meaningful ways over the past several years. As the staff person for the Jewish Mindfulness Center, she has led developing and integrating what used to be “alternative” ways to access Judaism and spirituality —…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most 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…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Dan Horwitz
Rabbi Dan solves problems before others realize they exist. While the rest of the Jewish community was organizing bar nights and singles events to fill a void in the social lives of young pluralistic and secular Jews, Rabbi Dan worried that there was a spiritual void in the lives of this demographic that community leaders…
-
Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most Yisroel Wilhelm
Rabbi Wilhelm is my biggest inspiration, role model and friend. He is the best example I know of on how to be a compassionate leader. Over the past 11 years, he has been the co-director of the Rohr Chabad House at the University of Colorado along with his wife, Leah. Yisroel and Leah are equal…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
Fast Forward Unarmed man who tackled Bondi Beach Hanukkah attacker identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed
- 2
Opinion I grew up believing Australia was the best place to be Jewish. This Hanukkah shooting forces a reckoning I do not want.
- 3
Fast Forward Hanukkah shooting leaves at least 15 dead at Australia’s most popular beach
- 4
Fast Forward Father and son suspects in Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack identified as Sajid and Naveed Akram by law enforcement
In Case You Missed It
-
Fast Forward At White House Hanukkah party, Trump says Congress ‘is becoming antisemitic’
-
Letters Australia’s Yiddish community is thriving, not reviving
-
Opinion Jewish identity surges after Bondi, highlighting internal divisions — and the potential for renewed Black-Jewish cooperation
-
Opinion What can really be done to prevent antisemitic attacks like Bondi Beach?
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
