Dr. Alan Mittleman Named Aaron Rabinowitz and Simon H. Rifkind Professor of Jewish Philosophy at JTS

Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen of The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) recently appointed Dr. Alan Mittleman to the position of Aaron Rabinowitz and Simon H. Rifkind Professor of Jewish Philosophy. Dr. Mittleman’s current work in progress-a book tentatively entitled The Holy and the Good: An Essay in Jewish Philosophical Theology-is supported by a major grant from the Herzl Institute’s Jewish Philosophical Theology Project. He succeeds Dr. Neil Gillman, Aaron Rabinowitz and Simon H. Rifkind Professor of Jewish Philosophy Emeritus.

“Alan Mittleman is among the most incisive and creative minds in the field of Jewish philosophy today. His work in Jewish ethics has already had great impact on the field and his upcoming book on Jewish philosophical theology promises to echo widely. I could not be more proud of his achievement as he assumes the Rifkind Professorship.”  

A graduate of JTS’s Teachers Institute (now Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies), Judge Simon H. Rifkind served as chairman of the JTS Board from 1963 until 1972. The named Professorship of Jewish Philosophy (formerly Ethics and Law) was established by Aaron Rabinowitz. In 1996, the Judge Simon H. Rifkind Award was established at JTS in recognition of this exemplary life, which was marked by professional preeminence, distinguished public service, and unstinting devotion to the Jewish community.