Rabbi receives degree

By Jason Cohen

September 12, 2008

Rabbi Arnold Gluck of Temple Beth-El in Hillsborough will be honored for receiving the doctor of divinity degree from Hebrew Union College in New York City, in recognition of his 25 years of rabbinical service on Friday, Sept. 12.   

On April 30, Gluck received the award at Temple Emanuel in Manhattan.

Gluck said it is interesting because all rabbis that are ordained from the Hebrew Union are eligible to receive the doctor of divinity degree.

"Being a rabbi for 25 years is definitely an earned degree," Gluck said. 

Gluck said that over the past 25 years, one of his main accomplishments was making a difference in the lives of Jewish people.

"It is quite a wonderful occasion; I feel very honored," Gluck said.

David Ellenson, president of Hebrew Union College, will present the award to him, Gluck said.

He has been the rabbi at the temple for 17 years.

"This is my 18th year at the temple and it's been a wonderful relationship," he said.

"It has been a privilege to see the congregation grow and thrive and we have built a great Hebrew school as well," Gluck added.

Throughout his tenure at Beth-El, more people have been celebrating their bar and bat mitzvahs and the relationship between the congregants and him has grown very strong, Gluck said.

"I look forward to spending time with the congregation into the future," he said.

The rabbi said most of the programs that he takes part in and has created throughout the past 25 years have been about making Jewish life accessible to Jewish people.

Gluck has assisted in pioneering programs such as adult Jewish literacy, outreach, family education, youth activities, social action, and community interfaith dialogue. Additionally, he is one of the founders for the interfaith hospitality network for the homeless of Union and Somerset counties.

He has also served as the president of the Somerville area ministerial association, and is one of the founders of the Ohr Tikvah Jewish healing center of Somerset, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties. 

Gluck is also the founding dean of Jewish LIFE: Learning Is For Everyone.   

"There is always much more to do, my vision is way ahead of my grab," he said.

More importantly, Gluck said he is very pleased with what the temple has been able to accomplish in his 17 years there.

"There are a whole range of opportunities and needs for the temple, but ultimately it's a challenge," Gluck said.

"What's has been asked of me is where can I make the biggest impact," he added, suggesting Jewish learning. "Jewish learning leads to Jewish loving and Jewish learning is a big deal."

He said he has a strong belief that Jews should not only be concerned for themselves and their fellow Jews, but the world around them as well.

"One major focus is assessing the issue of interfaith marriage in the Jewish world," he said. "It is threatening the Jewish world, but we need to turn inward and welcome interfaith couples into the temple." 

Gluck said on average he has preformed five to 10 conversions a year, and overall he has performed several hundred conversions.

"I am unbelievably proud of the Jewish people, especially the ones that chose to be Jewish and join the Jewish life, that is a major factor in the vitality of Jewish life," he said.

Gluck also has a very strong connection to Israel, he said.

"There have been 10 congregational trips to Israel tat have been absolutely wonderful, very significant, and rewarding," he said.

Gluck is 51 years old, grew up in Westchester County in New York, and currently resides with his family in Skillman.

He has two daughters: Shirah, who attends Hebrew University; and Elisheva who works at three synagogues in Greenwich, Conn. His wife, Sarah, has worked for 11 years at his temple with him.

"My family is very proud of me, they are thrilled, and I couldn't have done anything without the support of my family," Gluck said.