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Community Corner

Retired Rabbi Still Ministers

Temple B'nai Shalom's Schwartz steps down from 37-year post, but remains involved with the synagogue.

"One doesn't retire from being a rabbi," explained Rabbi Dr. Barry Dov Schwartz, who served as the leader of  Temple B'nai Sholom for the past 37 years. "One retires from a position."

Schwartz stepped down from his post, which he started in 1973, with much fanfare and a celebration on June 22. He was ordained in 1965 by the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he also earned his doctoral degree.

The religious aspect of his career continues though, he added, in that those he ministered continue to contact him. "People feel free to call," he noted. His position is now as Rabbi Emeritus.

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Schwartz, a personable, humorous and charming man, said he felt the calling to become a rabbi since childhood. "It's in my bones," he explained.

When comparing his hopes and expectations as a young clergyman to his veteran experience, Schwartz said that one cannot anticipate everything. He was disappointed to encounter the reality of politics, he explained, but was surprised by the consistently "effusive kindness" of his congregants through the years.

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So what will he do now?

Many of his friends and congregants have encouraged him to write a book. As someone who took part in the largest gathering of Jewish clergy to ever visit a sitting pope  — the Priestly Blessing on John Paul II in 2005 — and visited Cuba in support of Cuban Jews, in addition to 37 years of ministry, Schwartz certainly has enough to write about.

"People ask me if I'm going to write a book, and I say, 'No. I'll read one,'" he said. Schwartz is particularly fond of thrillers, he noted, especially those that are law-related. He majored in criminology at Boston University.

In addition to ministering to the members of Temple B'nai Sholom, Schwartz has been chaplain to the Nassau County and Rockville Centre Police Departments, as well as the Rockville Centre Fire Department, served on the village's Human Rights Commission and Mercy Hospital's Board of Governors, and was past president of the Rabbinical Assembly of Long Island.

Even though he still keeps in touch with congregants, Schwartz said he still thinks about them. "I miss the people whom I served and to whom I ministered," he said.

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