Rabbi Aaron Pomerantz

1926 - 2009

Rabbi Pomerantz served with distinction as Associate Rabbi at EMJC beginning in 1978. From 1948 until his arrival at EMJC, Rabbi Pomerantz was the Ritual Director and then Rabbi at Congregation Shaare Torah, which merged with EMJC.

Rabbi Pomerantz was born in Graivo, Poland, the son of Rabbi Jacob and Bella Pomerantz. He attended prominent Yeshivot, and left Poland with the outbreak of World War II. After an eastward odyssey, he arrived in Canada, then made his way to the United States. In New York, he graduated from Washington Irving High School. Concurrently, he studied at the Rabbi Chaim Berlin Yeshiva and was ordained in 1952. He also attended Brooklyn College.

At both Shaare Torah and East Midwood, Rabbi Pomerantz was the consummate rabbi, sharing his profound knowledge of Torah, Talmud and other Jewish sources as a teacher, and giving of himself as a wise and compassionate counselor. Week in and week out he was the revered spiritual leader of the daily and Shabbat services in the Beit Ha-Midrash.

“It was my privilege to have worked with Rabbi Pomerantz at Congregation Shaare Torah,” said Rabbi Benjamin Z. Kreitman, Executive Vice President Emeritus of United Synagogue, “He is an unusual person, dedicated to all that is noble and good in our Jewish heritage. He is a man who possesses great Jewish and secular learning. He is a consummate teacher. Teaching is not simply a skill. If it is to be a true fulfillment of that office it requires both a love of learning and love for the students who come to learn. The Rabbinate has not been merely a profession to him – it has been his vocation... and his destiny."

Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass pointed out that “over the years Aaron and Roz have exerted a powerful influence over the spiritual life of the synagogue in their unique, quiet and understated way. Roz is our poet laureate. Aaron is known as a great teacher; indeed, his classes have brought much knowledge and information to our congregants. But, his and Roz’s most effective instruction have taken place primarily through their example. They are authentic, genuine, loving, caring, devoted, and pious Jews who live the values of our faith in every way each and every day of their lives.”

There is a tradition that King David died on the holiday of Shavuot, which happened to fall on the Sabbath. Only the holiest amongst us are reserved for this honor, one Rabbi Pomerantz richly deserved.