Rabbi Arnold Gluck retired after more than three decades serving Temple Beth-El in Hillsborough on June 30.
In a farewell letter to congregants, Gluck said the privilege of serving as Temple Beth-El’s rabbi has been “one of the greatest honors of [his] life.”
Gluck becomes congregation’s first Rabbi Emeritus. During his tenure, Gluck pioneered Jewish education programs for adults and youth and worked with interfaith leaders across New Jersey as a tireless advocate for social justice.
His dedication to social action, interfaith dialogue, and Zionism extended beyond the congregation. Locally, Gluck helped found HOME of Somerset County, formerly the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Now in its 32nd year, HOME provides at-risk families with support services and emergency shelter at participating houses of worship. He served as president of the Somerville Area Ministerial Association, which fosters collaboration and connection among religious leaders from local faith communities. And he served on the Executive Committee of the Association of Reform Zionists of America’s Rabbinic Cabinet.
Andrea Bradley, president of Temple Beth-El, noted that Gluck is internationally recognized as a teacher and a scholar. Bradley commented further that Gluck leaves behind as his legacy a thriving and engaged community committed to inclusive progressive Reform Judaism.
Temple Beth-El celebrated Gluck’s final year with a celebratory gala and a This is Your Life speaker series featuring mentors, colleagues, and friends from the United States and Israel. Among the speakers was Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, who heralded Gluck as a “rabbi’s rabbi” and Rabbi Gilad Kariv, a member of the Israeli Knesset.
During Temple Beth-El’s search for its next settled rabbi, Rabbi David Katz will serve on an interim basis, which began on July 1. Katz specializes in working with communities in transition and in that capacity has led congregations in New York, Maryland, Georgia, and California. In addition to being an accomplished pulpit rabbi, Katz has worked as a Jewish educator serving schools in Boston, San Diego, and Toronto.
Temple Beth-El is a vibrant Reform Jewish synagogue community dedicated to creating a Jewish experience guided by tradition, firmly rooted in modernity, and infused with joy. The synagogue believes Judaism is a lifelong journey filled with opportunities for sacred moments, inspiration, and personal growth and are committed to being an open, inclusive, and egalitarian community.
For more information about Temple Beth-El, please visit www.ourbethel.org.
