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The Union for Traditional Judaism (UTJ) is saddened to report the news of the passing of Rabbi Professor Edward Gershfield z”l. Rabbi Gershfield had long been a proponent and supporter of the UTJ and its work to bring Jews closer to observant Judaism and served as its President for several years.
Rabbi Gershfield received a D.Phil. from Oxford University in Roman law and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary. Always a traditionalist, he became a Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS and specialized in the area of divorce or “gittin”. When he perceived JTS to be veering away from its core commitment to traditional Jewish law, he was one of only sixteen members of the faculty and administration who openly challenged the administration even at the risk of job loss.
Rabbi Gershfield continued to teach after his retirement, lecturing periodically at the Institute of Traditional Judaism and before colleagues of MORSHAH, the UTJ’s rabbinic fellowship.
Always known for his sharp wit and sense of humor by students and colleagues alike, Rabbi Gershfield will long be remembered as a teacher who made us laugh and learn at the same time.
His memory will be a blessing to all who knew him.
UTJ extends condolences to Rabbi Gershfield’s wife, Toby, and the entire Gershfield family.
The funeral will be on Friday, December 19 at 11:00 AM (all are urged to arrive early) at Guttermans, 402 Park St, Hackensack NY
Shiva will be observed at the home of his son, James Gershfield in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Minyan times will be announced.