Rabbi Emeritus

RABBI EMERITUS

Samuel R. Weinstein, D.Min., M.S.

A native of Pittsburgh, Rabbi Samuel R. Weinstein graduated from Columbia University in New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977. Rabbi Weinstein began his rabbinic studies at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, Israel in 1978. Returning to the Cincinnati campus of the College after a year of study, he received his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in June 1981. His thesis was entitled, "Rabbinic Perceptions of Aaron."  He received rabbinic ordination from the College on June 4, 1982. Rabbi Weinstein also holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania and was elected into PSI CHI, The National Honor Society in Psychology. His thesis, written in the area of grief and bereavement, was entitled, "Conversations With The Dead: Preparing For Life After The Death of our Spouse." He has also earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His doctoral work focused on the dynamic of the congregation in the area of Pastoral Care. Rabbi Weinstein was certified by the American Academy of Bereavement as a Bereavement Facilitator in March 1998 and holds a training certificate in ministering to the Spiritual Needs of the Sick and Dying.  On June 3, 2007, Rabbi Weinstein was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity by the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion.

After ordination, Rabbi Weinstein served The Temple in Atlanta, Georgia for five years, as Assistant Rabbi and then as the congregation's first Associate Rabbi in its 120-year history. Rabbi Weinstein then served as spiritual leader of Temple Anshe Hesed in Erie, Pennsylvania for five years. While in Erie, Rabbi Weinstein conducted summer worship services at the Chautauqua Institution in New York and served on the faculty of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Since 1992 Rabbi Weinstein has been the Senior Rabbi of The Temple/ Congregation Shomer Emunim in Sylvania (Toledo), Ohio. He has served on the rabbinic faculty of Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana, and on the adjunct faculty of the Hebrew Union College as a Mayerson Fieldwork Supervisor. 

Rabbi Weinstein served as a Chaplain in the Reserve of the United States Air Force for over 27 years. Included among his decorations are the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal of the United States of America with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Legion of Merit. Rabbi Weinstein has also served as a speaker at National Chaplains' Conventions and has published material for the Air Force Chaplain Board and the Military Chaplains' Review. He holds Air Force Training Certificates in Chaplain Medical Readiness and Trauma Pastoral Care. He also holds a Certificate from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in Managing and Resolving Workplace Conflicts. Rabbi Weinstein has graduated from Air Command and Staff College (correspondence) and is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Air War College (correspondence). Rabbi Weinstein has served as a chaplain at the base/wing level, was the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Division Chief, Programs, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright Patterson AFB OH; served as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Division Chief, Personnel, at the Office of the Chief of the Chaplain Corps, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, DC and served as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Command Chaplain, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB VA. Rabbi Weinstein then returned to the Office of the Chief of Chaplain Corps, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, DC and served for three years as the Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Chaplains. He retired from the military in 2009. 

Rabbi Weinstein is an active participant in the Toledo community. He serves on the Pastoral Care Advisory Board of St. Vincent Health Center, has served 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 is also on the Executive Board of the Interracial Religious Coalition.