Rabbi Jerome (“Jerry”) Blum
Rabbi Cantor Jerome Blum is a graduate of the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR), the nation’s oldest accredited pluralistic seminary serving all Jewish movements, and is the first in AJR’s history to receive simultaneous ordinations as rabbi and cantor. He is also a graduate of the Davvenen Leadership Training Institute of the ALEPH Association for Jewish Renewal. Additionally, Rabbi Cantor Blum serves as an educator for the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life at the 92nd Street Y and is one of the collaborators of their B-Mitzvah program. He is a dad, husband, sabba, teacher, prayer leader, business consultant and occasional rock and roller. Rabbi Cantor Blum loves to share his passion for prayer, music, and all things Jewish, and is honored to be part of the fourth cohort of the 18Doors Rukin Rabbinic Fellowship. His senior thesis, “Getting to Yes – Rethinking Kiddushin: A New Path for Uniting Loving Couples” describes his spiritual and halakhic journey towards a new understanding of marriage within the Jewish community and how clergy can build a stronger bond within that community through contact with interfaith families. Connecting with historically under served Jewish communities, including LGBTQ Jews and Jews of Color, is a hallmark of Rabbi Cantor Blum’s pulpit. Prior to his current pulpits, Rabbi Cantor Blum had a successful career in the financial services industry. He and his wife Arlyn live in Manhattan.
His goals are to work in partnership with Temple Isaiah to:
• Create spiritually meaningful services;
• Provide pastoral care and to bring comfort to those in need;
• Create interesting and innovative programming;
• Create fun, moving and thoughtful Jewish experiences for all ages;
• Reach out to the surrounding community leaders to build meaningful relationships throughout the area;
• Continue the growth of our welcoming and accepting Jewish community;
• Enhance Jewish learning and social action.
For more from Rabbi Blum, please see his columns in the monthly Bulletin.