One Rabbi's Legacy—Supporting Clinical Pastoral Education

Rabbi Selig Salkowitz was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a young man, he traveled to Cincinnati where he received his undergraduate degree at the University of Cincinnati in 1950 and was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1954. Rabbi Salkowitz earned a doctorate of divinity at the New York Theological Seminary in 1970. He studied independently at the Oxford Center for Postgraduate Hebrew Studies and obtained a Certificate in Pastoral Counseling from the Post Graduate Center for Mental Health in New York City.

Rabbi Salkowitz served as a Navy chaplain from 1954 to1974. He also served on the Central Conference of American Rabbis' Chaplaincy Committee as well as on the National Jewish Welfare Board's Commission on Jewish Chaplaincy. During his career as a pulpit rabbi, Dr. Salkowitz served Temple Beth El in Providence, Rhode Island (1956-1958), Temple Avoda, Fair Lawn, New Jersey (1958-1988), and Union Temple of Brooklyn, New York (1988-1992). He also took on the task of serving congregations all over the country in the role of interim rabbi.

Rabbi Salkowitz passed away on November 3, 2017. He had a meaningful career as a rabbi and was deliberate about leaving a legacy gift to his alma mater that would reflect his life's work and passion. As a rabbi and a counselor, Rabbi Salkowitz recognized the importance of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). He knew that listening to his congregants was only one part of effective counseling. Asking the right questions was equally important. He believed that CPE training enhances a person's ability to be empathetic. Rabbi Salkowitz crafted a legacy gift to ensure that future Jewish leaders would have the proper skills to help congregants cope with life's challenges.

Last year, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion received a generous gift from Rabbi Salkowitz's estate that will provide an annual stipend for students taking CPE training. Most rabbinical and cantorial students receive CPE training during the summer. Most HUC-JIR students depend on a stipend support so they can receive this critical training in lieu of a paying job over the summer months. Through his thoughtful planning and generosity, Rabbi Salkowitz's gratitude for the training he received at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion continues. We are honored to be a part of his legacy.

To craft a meaningful legacy gift and for information on how to ensure the education of innovative and visionary clergy and professionals for future generations, contact us.