Rabbi Simon Glustrom

Simon Glustrom, the beloved rabbinical leader of the Fair Lawn Jewish Center for over forty
years, died peacefully on October 2, at the age of 99. Rabbi Glustrom was a
congregational leader to his very core. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1924, Simon left
the South at age 16 to begin schooling in New York after earning a scholarship to
Yeshivah College, the undergraduate division of Yeshiva University. With meager
funds, no winter coat, but full of hopeful ambition, Simon found his home at the
Jewish Theological Seminary, where he was ordained in 1948. Never losing sight of
his humble beginnings, Rabbi Glustrom left an indelible mark on the Fair Lawn
Jewish community in New Jersey guiding thousands of congregants through the life
cycles of birth, b'nai mitzvah, marriage, death, and burial. A man of his generation
who cherished tradition, Rabbi Glustrom grew to recognize a changing world and
evolving values. He embraced change with careful consideration and grace. He
became a pioneer in the establishment of an egalitarian congregation and was among
the first rabbis to include a female rabbinical intern on the pulpit.
In addition to his warm legacy of spiritual leadership, Rabbi Glustrom was the author
of seven books about Judaism. When Your Child Asks, written in 1956, served as a
guide for generations of Jewish parents. His last book, Unfinished Journey - A
Rabbi's Bout with Doubt was written in his 90th year,
Simon Glustrom's love and devotion extended most enduringly to his family. He
married Helen Stein, the ravishing beauty of Toronto, and their love endured for an
incredible 75 years. Nothing brought him more joy than his children, grandchildren
and great grandchildren all who cherished him as a lodestar guiding their lives.
Rabbi Simon Glustrom will be remembered for his dignified bearing and humility that
touched the hearts of all who knew him. His compassionate words offered solace to
countless individuals seeking his rabbinical presence. He will be remembered most of
all as a loving patriarch, whose legacy will continue through his three daughters Jan
Yaffe (Michael), Beth Belkin (Arthur), and Aliza DuBois (Mike Richman),
his grandchildren Jonathan (Carina), Daniel (Sangita), Jonah (Ilana), Zoe (Marco),
Lydia and Eli, and his newest additions, great grandchildren Willam, Goldie, Noa and
Rafael.
Donations can be made in Rabbi Glustrom's memory to Mazon: A Jewish response to Hunger.