The University of Findlay - Rabbi to Speak at UF’s Religious Studies Lecture Series

Rabbi Samuel Weinstein
will talk about reform Judaism.

Rabbi Samuel Weinstein will be the second featured speaker in The University of Findlay’s Religious Studies Lecture Series at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Ritz Auditorium, located in Old Main on the Findlay campus. This event is free and open to the public.

During the series, four religious leaders from different faith traditions will address three topics including the distinct aspects and characteristics of the faith or religion he represents; the aspects and characteristics of his faith or religion that are similar with the other faiths in the series; and the identification and exploration of global issues that are of critical concern to the faith he represents.

The purpose of the series is to provide an enhanced learning environment for both religious studies students and the larger community.

Weinstein will discuss reform Judaism. Since 1992, he has served as senior rabbi of The Temple for the congregation Shomer Emunim in Sylvania, Ohio.
A native of Pittsburgh, Weinstein graduated from Columbia University, N.Y., with a bachelor of arts degree in 1977. He began his rabbinic studies at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, Israel, in 1978. Returning to the Cincinnati campus of the college after one year of study abroad, he received his master of arts in Hebrew letters in June 1981. He received rabbinic ordination from the college in 1982. Weinstein also holds a master of science degree in counseling from Gannon University in Erie, Pa.

Weinstein was certified by the American Academy of Bereavement as a bereavement facilitator in 1998 and holds a training certificate in ministering to the spiritual needs of the sick and dying. He also has earned a doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

A chaplain and colonel in the Air Force Reserve, Weinstein serves on the Chaplain Service Council and the Reserve Chaplain Service Council and included among his decorations are the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal of the United States of America with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

Weinstein is currently a member of the Chaplain Service Recruiting Team. He holds Air Force training certificates in Chaplain Medical Readiness and Trauma Pastoral Care. Weinstein graduated from the Air Command and Staff College and is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Air War College. At the present time, Weinstein is the mobilization assistant to the deputy chief of the United States Air Force Chaplain Service and is the senior-ranking rabbi in the organization.

Weinstein also is an active participant in the Toledo community. He serves on the pastoral care advisory board of St. Vincent Health Center, served for several years on the board of the Victory Center, is a member of the crisis response team of the Ottawa Hills Local Schools and has worked with the American Cancer Society of Toledo on the memorials committee. He also has served on the executive board of the Interracial Religious Coalition. Weinstein’s congregation has assisted in the building of four Habitat for Humanity homes and has hosted Erase the Hate programs.

Weinstein is married to Carol Lorman, a native of Wisconsin. They have three children.

Future speakers include Pastor William Miller, director of campus ministries for College First Church of God in Findlay, on Oct. 31 and Imam Farooq S. Abo-Elzahab, imam and director of The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, on Nov. 7.

For more information about the Religious Studies Lecture Series, please contact Dale Brougher, Ph.D., associate professor of religion, at 419-434-4729 or brougher@findlay.edu.