B'nai Israel Congregation

Summer Speaker—American Jewry: Past, Present, and Future with Rabbi Herbert Rosenblum Examining Jonathan Sarna's two recent authoritative analyses of current trends in American Jewish history, Rabbi Rosenblum will share his reflections on the history of American Jewry, where we are today, and what we might anticipate for the future. Herbert Rosenblum is a native of NYC, where he received his early Jewish and general education. He received a PhD in American Jewish history at Brandeis University in 1970, was ordained a Rabbi at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1954, and received his undergraduate BA at Yeshiva University in 1950. Over the years he has served congregations and communal organizations in NY, MA, and PA. Rabbi Rosenblum served for many years as Associate Dean and Professor of Jewish history at the Boston Hebrew College. During sabbaticals he was a visiting professor at Tel Aviv University, NYU, and Clark University, teaching courses on Jewish history, Zionism, antisemitism, American Jewish history and aspects of the Holocaust. He has published articles and books on these central subjects of modern Jewish history. Rabbi Rosenblum has served as a chaplain in the US Army and in a veterans' hospital. He has been active in communal and civic activities in areas relating to interfaith programs, adult education, Israel-oriented projects, and governmental liaisons. His beloved wife Sheila passed away last year after 67 years of a wonderful marriage. He now lives in a retirement residence in Rockville, MD, and enjoys periodic visits with their 5 grandchildren in Boston and Silver Spring.