After 50-years of Jewish outreach, pioneering American Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald steps down

Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, a figurehead in Orthodox Jewish outreach, is retiring after a 50-year career that began with an innovative "Beginners Service" at Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan. In 1975, Buchwald, then 29, recognized that many American Jews felt disconnected from traditional synagogues. He proposed a weekly service designed to engage the unaffiliated and marginalized.

The "Beginners Service" offered prayers in Hebrew and English, a summary and discussion of the weekly Torah portion, and crucially, an open forum for questions and dialogue between the rabbi and attendees. This inclusive approach fostered a sense of belonging and intellectual engagement for dozens of participants each week.

Buchwald's impact extends far beyond the synagogue walls. He compiled a list of 117 "noted notables" who attended the program, spanning fields like academia, business, law, and entertainment. Those who spoke with the publication described Buchwald as a profound influence, enriching their lives through his teachings on Jewish ritual, text, and the modeling of a meaningful life. Many also recalled warm invitations to Shabbat dinners at his home with his wife, Aidel.

One former attendee, writer and producer Allan Leicht, initially joined out of curiosity after moving to the Upper West Side. He found himself won over by Buchwald's "young, enthusiastic" demeanor and the welcoming atmosphere of the service.

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I was looking for a synagogue to go to on Saturday mornings, but after meeting this young, enthusiastic rabbi, he won me over completely