Special to the Ledger

Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz

GREENWICH – Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz of Temple Sholom in Greenwich will be honored by AJC Global Jewish Advocacy on Wednesday evening, May 28, at the Ritz Carlton, Westchester in White Plains, N.Y. Hurvitz will be the first recipient of the AJC Westchester Rabbinic Leadership Award. Frank Linde, a member of AJC’s national and regional Board, will also be honored.

A longtime supporter of AJC, Hurvitz is credited with opening Temple Sholom’s doors to a multitude of events that provide cultural insight and enrichment to the public. Among them: David Harris, AJC’s National Director spoke to a standing-room-only crowd about strengthening links among Jews and other global groups to coordinate advocacy efforts and advance democratic values for all.

“When David Harris spoke at Temple Sholom, it was a highlight for our community,” said Hurvitz. “His insider’s perspective on the turmoil and transformation in the Middle East was both insightful and thought-provoking. I look forward to continuing our friendship and partnership with AJC.”

Hurvitz joined Temple Sholom as an assistant rabbi in 1995 and was promoted to associate rabbi three years later. He was appointed the shul’s senior rabbi in 2001. A prolific writer, his weekly teachings can be found in the Greenwich Citizen, the Connecticut religion blog Creedable, and in other local and national publications. He is also the author of Introduction to the Jewish Faith and the Encyclopedia of Judaism, published by Facts on File.

A noted authority within the Conservative movement on how to create a welcoming environment for intermarried families in congregations, Hurvitz is a past president of the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy and co-founder of The Sholom Center for Interfaith Learning & Fellowship.

Born in Boston and raised in Palo Alto, Calif., Hurvitz earned a BA in History at UCLA, a Master of Hebrew Letters from the University of Judaism, and a second MA degree in Jewish Studies and rabbinic ordination with a concentration in Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Hurvitz was instrumental in introducing the work of AJC to the Fairfield County community.

In a statement announcing his award, the AJC said, “Through his support and outreach we have been able to bring AJC to the Connecticut community in a meaningful way through our Connecticut Committee members who develop and bring relevant programming to the region. We have new AJC members from Fairfield County who have also joined our Diplomatic Outreach, Energy and Israel New Perspectives committees to help further the work of AJC at the local level.

“Rabbi Mitch’s interfaith work closely aligns with AJC’s mission to build bridges of mutual understanding and he is to be commended for establishing close ties with other interfaith leaders in his community.  He and Temple Sholom have partnered with AJC’s annual Thanksgivng Diversity Breakfast and we are grateful for his support and friendship.”

The AJC Gala will feature a teen choral performance led by Cantor Asa Fradkin of Temple Sholom. The choir will perform a musical tribute that celebrates Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) and honors Rabbi Mitchell Hurvitz and his accomplishments.

He and his wife Roseanne are the parents of four children.