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Enjoying a flourish of new activity over the past several years, the Union for Traditional Judaism (UTJ) has named Rabbi Scott Kalmikoff as coordinator to drive the organization’s growing activities and bolster its membership and fundraising abilities.
Rabbi Kalmikoff weaves an impressive blend of rabbinic, communal, and journalistic experiences. He currently works as Global Connections Education Associate for the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey, where he develops leadership programs for people interested in the federation’s work with Israel and overseas. And in 2014, at the age of 23, Rabbi Kalmikoff was appointed associate executive director of the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) of Staten Island.
“I am confident that my current and previous roles in the Jewish community have prepared me well to succeed in building relationships, creating community, and inspiring passion for UTJ’s mission,” Rabbi Kalmikoff said of his role at the UTJ.
Rabbi Kalmikoff earned his rabbinical ordination at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. He has strong relationship with Rabbi Gerald Sussman, Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El of Staten Island and UTJ’s executive director, who has known Rabbi Kalmikoff first as a congregant and then as a colleague.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rabbi Kalmikoff to the UTJ team,” Rabbi Sussman said. “My wife, Bonita, and I know him well and he perfectly aligns with our approach of embracing halakhic Judaism with open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity.”
UTJ Vice President Rabbi Noah Gradofsky added: “The past two decades have seen a rise in Jews committed to Jewish tradition and religious practice but who do not want to be confined or defined by denominationalism. UTJ advocates for a passionate, open-minded approach to Torah study and observance of Jewish law (Halakhah) rooted in classical religious sources, informed by modern scholarship, and measured by the yardstick of Torah rather than adherence to denominational labels.”
Rabbi Gradofsky, along with UTJ Vice President Mitch Morrison, have spearheaded the UTJ’s online growth over the past year, including launching a robust new website, www.utj.org, the Kosher Nexus website which offers kosher news and tips, UTJ’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, and the very active UTJ+Friends Facebook discussion group.
“The UTJ fully appreciates that more and more people are relying on the internet for meaningful religious interaction and spiritual growth,” Morrison said, adding that “our website and social media have provided us with an unprecedented ability to connect with Jews throughout the world. Rabbi Kalmikoff brings dynamism and creativity that will extend our reach to people of all backgrounds who are looking to grow in their Judaism.”
UTJ’s website features a “Viewpoints” section which invites UTJ’s leaders and others to share divrei Torah, halakhic analysis, and views on any other topic related to Judaism. Recent posts include an analysis of different philosophies within Orthodox Judaism by Rabbi Alan J. Yuter; links to analyses of the Supreme Court’s decision on religious services during the coronavirus pandemic by Rabbi Gradofsky and Douglas Aronin; a webinar presented by the Religious Freedom Institute in which UTJ President Rabbi David Novak discussed “Truth, Virtue, and the Common Good in Judaism“; and Rabbi Shlomo Segal’s halakhic analysis, “Can You Use An Electric Menorah?”