Shmuel Goldin (born 1952) is a

Modern Orthodox Modern may refer to: History *Modern history ** Early Modern period ** Late Modern period *** 18th century *** 19th century *** 20th century ** Contemporary history * Moderns, a faction of Freemasonry that existed in the 18th century Philosophy ...

rabbi, scholar, and author. He served as senior rabbi of Congregation Ahavath Torah in

Englewood, New Jersey Englewood is a city in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Englewood was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of Engle ...

, from 1984 until 2017, and was president of the

Rabbinical Council of America The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) is one of the world's largest organizations of Orthodox Judaism, Orthodox rabbis; it is affiliated with The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, more commonly known as the Orthodox Union (OU). ...

(RCA) from May 2010 to July 2013.

Early life and education

Goldin was born in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn and raised in West Hempstead, New York. He attended the Brooklyn Talmudic Academy and studied at

Yeshiva University Yeshiva University is a Private university, private Modern Orthodox Judaism, Orthodox Jewish university with four campuses in New York City.

’s Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, where he received rabbinic ordination and earned a master’s degree in Jewish education.

Career

In 1976, Goldin began his rabbinic career as Assistant Rabbi in Charge of Youth at Beth Jacob Congregation in

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, California. Later that year, he became rabbi of Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Maryland, serving there for six years. In 1984, he was appointed senior rabbi of Congregation Ahavath Torah, leading the synagogue for 33 years and expanding its educational and outreach programs. In April 2017, Ahavath Torah held a farewell tribute as Goldin and his wife prepared to relocate to Israel. Goldin served as president of the Rabbinical Council of America from May 2010 until July 2013.

Publications and scholarship

Goldin is the author of the multi-volume series ''Unlocking the Torah Text'' and of ''Unlocking the Haggadah'' (2019), a commentary on the Passover Haggadah combining translation, essays, and philosophical analysis. His Haggadah commentary was reviewed by Greer Fay Cashman in ''The Jerusalem Post'' in April 2019.

Public positions

In July 2010, Goldin was among the signatories of a Rabbinical Council of America statement calling on Orthodox communities to welcome gay and lesbian Jews and their children as full members and to oppose conversion therapy. Goldin’s reflections on making aliyah and life in Jerusalem were featured in a 2022 interview in ''The Jewish Link''.

Recognition

Goldin was selected as one of the “Forward 50” influential Jewish leaders in 2011 by ''The Forward''.

Personal life

Goldin and his wife, Barbara, have five children. They reside in Jerusalem following his

aliyah ''Aliyah'' (, ; ''ʿălīyyā'', ) is the immigration of Jews from Jewish diaspora, the diaspora to, historically, the geographical Land of Israel or the Palestine (region), Palestine region, which is today chiefly represented by the Israel ...

in 2017.

References

Orthodox rabbis from New York City 1952 births Living people {{Improve categories, date=April 2025