We Remember Rabbi Mel Glazer, z”l

Rabbi Melvin Glazer, congregational rabbi and grief specialist, died peacefully on April 22, 2018 – 7 Iyar 5778 at the age of 71.

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Rabbi Mel earned a BA from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1974, and received a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1995.

Rabbi Mel served congregations in South Orange, NJ; Grand Rapids, MI; Nashville, TN; Princeton, NJ; London, ON; Fairfax, VA; Miami, FL; Stroudsburg, PA; Colorado Springs, CO; and The Villages, FL.

He specialized in working with the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish society which ritually prepare bodies for burial). He trained Jewish communities to establish their own Chevra Kadishas, hosted a weekly radio show about grief and healing, and counseled hundreds of people experiencing loss, allowing them to lay their grief gently down and find peace.

His writings include:

The London, Ontario Hevra Kaddisha: A Critical Reflection On The Nature Of The Experience To Those Who Perform It (1995);
When Death Visits A Jewish Home: 99 Actions For Mourners (2007);
And God Created Hope: Finding Your Way Through Grief with Lessons from Early Biblical Stories (2007);
A GPS For Grief And Healing: 3 Powerful Steps To Help You Move From Mourning To Morning (2013).

Known for his kindness, quick wit, and boisterous sense of humor, Rabbi Mel always encouraged people to find hope for a better future

Survivors include his wife, Ellen (Glanz) Mossman Glazer; his sons, Ilan Glazer (Sherri Vishner Glazer), Rafi Glazer (Lauren Glazer) and Avi Glazer (Debbie Glazer), his daughter, Shoshi Glazer; his step-sons, Jeremy Mossman and Matt Mossman (Jes Skillman); his grandchildren, Baruch, Mordi, Yitzi, Eli, Meir, Rivka, and Yehuda Glazer, David and Mitchell Mossman; his sister Gail Saloff (Barry Saloff) and his brother Jerry Glazer (Debbie Glazer).

Donations to benefit the Rabbi Mel Glazer Chevra Kadisha Educational Fund can be made to Kavod v’Nichum.