Rabbi Yaakov T. Glasser

Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, the dynamic new rabbi at the Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, is a weaver of sorts, stringing humor, scholarship and an upbeat message that in a matter of weeks has infused the nearly 40-year-old congregation with a positive spirit focused on its future and helped ease the retirement of the shul’s longtime leader, Rabbi Chaim Wasserman.

The sense of enthusiasm, reflected both in upgrades of the shul’s facility and in the more than a dozen new members, is hardly surprising. Rabbi Glasser and his wife, Ruth, are entertaining, engaging and motivating.

“There’s a renewal at Young Israel, a sense of purpose and vitality that is largely attributed to Rabbi Glasser. We’re very excited about the future of this shul and the role we can play in a growing community like Passaic-Clifton,” observes Scott Goldberg, shul president.

Not surprisingly, Rabbi Glasser was recently promoted to Regional Director of the Etz Chaim/New Jersey region of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, NCSY’s largest region.

The parents of three children, the Glassers respectively boast impressive educational credentials. Rabbi Glasser has Yoreh Yoreh Smicha from Yeshiva University, as well as an M.S. in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. He is also a member of Yeshiva University’s Kollel LeHoraah.

In the field, Rabbi Glasser possesses extensive experience in youth work and informal Jewish education, having served as founding director of the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Student Union in New Jersey – a network of public school clubs for Jewish teens. Previously, he was a regional director of Junior NCSY.

Rebbetzin Ruth Glasser is nearing the completion of her Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from St. John’s University. The Glassers both have strong leadership abilities, teaching expertise, and motivation to help our shul grow. Rabbi Glasser, his wife, and their three adorable children, Rina, Chaim and Neima, are welcome additions to the YIPC family and to the larger Passaic-Clifton community.