About Our Rabbi

Rabbi Donald P. Cashman was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion at its graduation ceremony at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York on April 30.

The citation states

RABBI DONALD PETER CASHMAN

Loyal rabbi

Whose singular devotion to the congregants of B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation, Albany, New York,

for more than two decades has been one of blessings

Whose rabbinate has been infused with the love of music, bringing song,

prayer and learning to Shabbat and holiday services

Whose abiding concern for Jewish education has found expression

on the college campus and in the temple classroom

Who has been recognized by his community for kindling the spirit

of intra-religious relations and speaking out for social justice

And whose bi-annual congregational trips to Israel have enabled him to share his love

of the land and people of Israel with his community

It is signed by Barbara Friedman, Board Chair of HUC-JIR; Rabbi David Ellenson, President; Rabbi Norman Cohen, Provost, and Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk, Chancellor Emeritus. Rabbi Cohen was Rabbi Cashman’s professor of Midrash, and Rabbi Gottschalk, as President of HUC-JIR in 1983 ordained Rabbi Cashman at Congregation Emanu-El.

In addition to the awarding of 18 D.D. degrees, the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa was awarded to seven cantors. Honorary doctorates were also awarded in the field of Jewish Communal Service and in Jewish Religious Education. Fourteen students received their M.A. in Religious Education; twelve cantors-in-training received the degree of Master of Sacred Music; and 17 rabbinic students were awarded their M.A in Hebrew Literature. Five students –two rabbis, three ministers, and a nun – received their Doctor of Ministry degree, an advanced pastoral care degree for clergy. Anita Diamant, author, gave the address.

The College-Institute, the seminary of Reform Judaism, customarily bestows the D.D. upon its ordinees after twenty five years of service to the Jewish community. Rabbi Cashman will reflect on 25 years in the rabbinate, and upon receiving this honor, on Friday, May 30, which is the day after his actual ordination anniversary.