Reform leader Stanley Dreyfus dies

By · July 13, 2008

Rabbi A. Stanley Dreyfus, a leader of the Reform rabbinate, died July 8.

Dreyfus was a professor at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City.

He served as director of rabbinic placement of the Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1980 to 1991 and chairman of its liturgy committee from 1975 to 1979. He also was a U.S. Army chaplain from 1956 to 1965.

A prolific writer, Dreyfus contributed articles and reviews to theological and educational periodicals. He also edited “Book of Prayers, Henry Cohen: Messenger of the Lord.”

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Dreyfus attended the University of Cincinnati, where he received a bachelor’s degree with high honors, and then Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, where he received his bachelor of Hebrew letters in 1942, and master’s of Hebrew Letters and ordination in 1946.

HUC honored Dreyfus with an honorary doctor of divinity in 1971.

“Our community mourns the loss of a beloved colleague and friend,” said HUC President Rabbi David Ellenson.

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