Rabbi Morris Norman Kertzer

RABBI MORRIS KERTZER DIES; IMPROVED INTERRELIGIOUS TIES By ARI L. GOLDMAN Published: December 31, 1983 FACEBOOK TWITTER GOOGLE+ EMAIL SHARE PRINT REPRINTS

Rabbi Morris N. Kertzer, a leader in strengthening relations between Jews and Christians, died of a heart ailment Thursday at his retirement home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 73 years old.

Rabbi Kertzer was spiritual leader of the Riverdale Temple in the Bronx and the Larchmont (N.Y.) Temple in the 1960's and 70's.

His books included What Is a Jew? one of the most widely used volumes in classes for those who wish to convert to Judaism. The book, published in 1953, has had more than 30 printings. Among his other works were Tell Me, Rabbi (1976), Today's American Jew (1967), The Art of Being a Jew (1962) and With an H on My Dogtag (1947), an account of his service as a chaplain in World War II. President of Chaplains' Group

Rabbi Kertzer led religious services for United States troops on the Anzio beachhead and later served troops southern and central France. After the war, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He was president of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains of the Armed Forces and chairman of the social action commission of the Synagogue Council of America in the 50's.

From 1949 to 1960, the rabbi was national director of interreligious affairs for the American Jewish Committee. In the late 50's, he was awarded the Pro Deo Gold Medal from the International University in Rome for his work in promoting Catholic-Jewish understanding.

In 1956, Rabbi Kertzer was among a delegation of rabbis who visited the Soviet Union to check on the status of Jews. Upon their return, the group reported, What we have seen and heard leads us to the melancholy conclusion that Judaism in Russia is seriously threatened with extinction.

Rabbi Kertzer was born in Ontario and received degrees from the Universities of Toronto and Illinois. After studying at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, he was ordained in 1934.

Surviving are his wife, Julia; two sons, David, of Brunswick, Me., and Jonathan, of London; a daughter, Ruth Seidman of Brookline, Mass.; a foster daughter, Eva Paul of Trenton,a brother, Samuel, of Toronto; a sister, Jessie Johnson of West Palm Beach, Fla., and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be held tomorrow in Toronto.

photo of Rabbi Morris N. Kert

• Census: June 1921 - 159 Grace St, Toronto West, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: Ward 5, Ontario, Canada - June 1921
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 22 2022, 11:50:51 UTC