Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein, Executive Vice President

Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein came to the United Synagogue in 1976 after serving as the spiritual leader of congregations in Galveston, Texas, and Portsmouth, Virginia. Beginning as a regional director at United Synagogue, he soon became director of regional activities, and in 1986 he was named United Synagogue’s senior vice president and its chief executive officer. Since 1989, he has been United Synagogue’s executive vice president.

At United Synagogue, Rabbi Epstein has sought new ways to reach and inspire those who are still on the sulam, the ladder of Jewish observance, in order to help them climb up toward further observance and connection to the Jewish community. He has created daily Bible and Mishnah study programs, and he played an important role in promoting the Conservative movement’s new Bible commentary. More recently, he has pressed for new openness toward intermarried families, actively reaching out to patrilinial and potential Jews through United Synagogue’s edud program. Targeting his message to United Synagogue’s approximately 770 affiliated congregations, representing about 1 ½ million Conservative Jews, Rabbi Epstein has consistently worked to spread Jewish knowledge and observance. In recognition of these efforts, the Forward, a national Jewish newspaper, named Rabbi Epstein one of 2002’s top Jewish leaders.

Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1970; in 1996 JTS awarded him an honorary doctorate. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in counseling from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and an Ed. D. in adult education at Temple University in Philadelphia.

His writings are diverse, including “From Synagogue Center to Synagogue Mentor: A New Vision,” “The Ideal Conservative Jew: Eight Behavioral Exceptions,” and “Jewish Living Now: Creating a Jewish Content Annuity.”

As United Synagogue’s executive vice president, Rabbi Epstein not only manages the administration of the organization but represents both United Synagogue and the Conservative movement to constituent congregations, the larger Jewish community, and governmental and secular institutions. As an influential voice in the movement and as a member of the movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, he is instrumental in shaping the movement’s formal and informal policy and programs.

Rabbi Epstein is married; he has one son and two daughters and is the proud grandfather of four grandchildren.