Mordecai Waxman

Mordecai Waxman, KCSG (February 25, 1917, in Albany – August 10, 2002, in Great Neck, New York), was a rabbi in the Conservative Jewish movement for nearly 60 years.

He served as rabbi of Temple Israel in Great Neck, New York for 55 years from 1947 through his death in 2002.

[1] He is most notable for his interactions with Pope John Paul II in the 1980s as chairman of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations.

Waxman received his bachelor's degree at the University of Chicago and was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City.

The following is an excerpt from Waxman's speech delivered in September 1987 to Pope John Paul II:[4]