Riverdale rabbi wins honor from Yeshiva University

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Rabbi Herbert Dobrinsky says he knew little to nothing about Sephardic Jewry in 1964 when he, with Haham Rabbi Solomon Gaon, founded the Yeshiva University’s (YU) Sephardic Studies Programs.

Now Rabbi Dobrinsky, who lives in Riverdale, is being honored with the Yeshiva University Presidential Medallion at the 91st Hanukkah Convocation, YU’s flagship event, in December.

A statement from the university said that the award will honor the rabbi’s 53 years of service to Yeshiva University and help with the school’s growth.

“He has played a major role in the establishment of 38 professorial chairs,” a YU press release said. “[He] has secured hundreds of scholarships throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.”

Sephardi Jews trace their roots to Portugal and Spain, where they were expelled in 1492 during the Inquisition. Rabbi Gaon was named Haham, or chief rabbi, of the British Commonwealth’s Sephardic congregations in 1949, and met Rabbi Dobrinsky during travels to the U.S.

“While [Rabbi Gaon] was here, the members of the different communities learned of his presence and came to [Yeshiva] University asking him for help because they feared that their traditions would be lost,” Rabbi Dobrinsky said. “He was such an inspiration to me that I determined that I would learn about [Sephardic] communities because I sort of shepherded him around to the different communities.”

While visiting Sephardic congregations in the U.S. with Rabbi Gaon, Rabbi Dobrinsky realized that he wanted to preserve their tradition for as long as possible. 

Today, his program of Sephardic studies educates about 300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students every year.

“I would say that it is the proudest achievement of my life,” Rabbi Gaon said. “I’m proud to say that all the different segments of the Sephardic community are part of the Yeshiva University program.”

Rabbi Herbert Dobrinsky, Yeshiva University, Anthony Capote

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