Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa Rabbi Joshua Stampfer RABBI JOSHUA STAMPFER has been the visionary founder of an astounding number of the Pacific Northwest’s Jewish communal and cultural institutions. Born in Jerusalem and for 40 years the rabbi (now emeritus) of Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland, Rabbi Stampfer founded a number of groups, including the Oregon Jewish Museum, Camp Solomon Schechter, the Northwest Jewish Film Festival, and the Institute for Judaic Studies. Rabbi Stampfer earned a degree in chemistry from the University of Chicago. He met the woman who would become his wife of 66 years, Goldie Goncher of Atlanta, at a Jewish summer camp in northeastern Pennsylvania. They were married on February 13, 1944, and had five children. The story of Rabbi Stampfer’s life is entwined with Israel. He served in the Jewish defense army in 1947, as Israel fought for its independence. Later, he led a dozen tours to Israel, sometimes jointly with Christian and Muslim religious leaders. He has reached out to Jewish communities around the world. In 1961, Rabbi Stampfer taught the first Jewish Studies class ever on the Portland State University campus, and he continued to lend his expertise as adjunct faculty through 2001. In the 1960s and 70s Rabbi Stampfer taught courses in Jewish Civilization and Modern Hebrew at PSU. His leadership and support is a key factor in the creation of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies in 2002. Rabbi Stampfer also has long been a respected voice for interfaith dialogue, peace, the enduring value of the Jewish State, and the recognition of the common humanity of all peoples in the Middle East. 4
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