Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum (z"l)

Rabbi Applebaum (z"l), was Rabbi of Temple Israel from 1953 to 1979, and continued as Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Israel until his death in 2001. 

Right - Rabbi Applebaum in 1979 - from the jacket liner of his book.    

Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  He received his B.A. degree at the University of Toronto, and was graduated from and ordained by the Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1940, where he also obtained his Master of Hebrew Letters degree, and his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1965.  

Upon ordination, Rabbi Applebaum was called to serve as rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, in Lansing, Michigan, and also as Counselor of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Extension at Michigan State College.  In 1943 he was invited to become spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in Flint, Michigan, and served there until his call to Temple Israel of Akron, Ohio, in July, 1953, his congregation for over 46 years. 

He had contributed articles to national and international Anglo-Jewish periodicals, lectured in many American colleges, and addressed numerous church and service club audiences.  In 1959 he authored the book What Everyone Should Know About Judaism, which was the result of many of the questions that had been asked of him by Christians and Jews about Judaism.   

During his term in Akron he started the children's interfaith service, a men's exchange program with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and an annual Christian clergy institute on Judaism.  He served as a member of several major boards of Reform Judaism in America.  From 1979 to 2001 he served as our Rabbi Emeritus.  The Applebaum Chapel is named for him.

  Left - Rabbi Applebaum in 1953, soon after his arrival in Akron, and officiating at dedication of new Temple Israel wing

Rabbi Applebaum , was the husband of Eleanor for 61 years, and was the father of two children Lois Jean Applebaum and Bruce Jay Applebaum.  His son, Bruce had preceded him in death, and a Temple Israel tribute fund for supporting youth programming was established by the congregation in his son's honor.  Lois Applebaum married Gary Podolny of Park City, Utah.   After retirement the Applebaums moved to Boca Raton, Florida.  Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum died Friday, November 2, 2001 at age 90 in Boca Raton.   A Temple Israel tribute fund for supporting Scholarship was established by the congregation in Rabbi Applebaum's honor. 

Right - One of Rabbi Applebaum's proudest accomplishments was his book "What Everyone Should Know About Judaism".  First published in 1959, this jacket is from the Fourth Printing in 1978.  This invaluable guidebook to both Jews and Non-Jews answered common questions in easy Q&A format.  It was also used for many years by Rabbi Applebaum as the primary text for his Confirmation classes.  

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From Akron Beacon Journal death notice for Rabbi Applebaum.  

Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum 

Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum died Friday, November 2, 2001 at age 90 in Boca Raton, Florida.  He was the rabbi of Temple Israel from 1953 to 1979.  During his term here he started the children's interfaith service, a men's exchange program with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and an annual Christian clergy institute on Judaism.  He served as a member of several major boards of Reform Judaism in America.  

He was born in Toronto, Canada.  Rabbi Applebaum was preceded in death by son, Bruce, and was the beloved husband of Eleanor of 61 years; the devoted father and father-in-law of Lois and Gary Podolny of park City, Utah; dearest grandfather of Joel and Tamara Podolny, Shari and Scott Brickin all of California, Brian and Mary Jo Podolny of New York; and great-grandfather of three.

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Temple Israel is a member congregation of URJ the Union for Reform Judaism: Serving Reform Congregations in North America, and is located in the URJ Northeast Lakes Region serving OH, MI and parts of NY, PA, & IN.