Rabbi Barry Gelman
United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston, Texas
Nov 16, 2006
Rabbi Barry Gelman is Rabbi of United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston. With over 400 families, United Orthodox is the largest Orthodox synagogue in the Southwest. Previously, Rabbi Gelman served as Rabbi of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Montreal, Canada as well as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun and the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, both in New York. He is the founding Director of MeORoT - Modern Orthodox Rabbinic Training, and Torat Miriam, both fellowships for those interested in Jewish communal service. Rabbi Gelman has taught at the Drisha Institute as well as at RAMAZ, a modern orthodox High School in New York.
Rabbi Gelman received his bachelors and masters from Yeshiva University and rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Yeshiva University.
Rabbi Gelman is very proud of the development of universal kashrut and Shabbat warming standards in his community in order to allow for maximum social interaction between community members. He is the halachic authority for the Houston Community Mikvah, and the eruv in the United Orthodox Synagogue neighborhood. He is the Treasurer of the Houston Rabbinical Association, a member of the Vaad of the Houston Kashrut Association and on the Board of Directors of the Houston Jewish Federation. He is involved in the local Houston community efforts on behalf of Darfur and created the “Bring Gilad Home” Blue Ribbon Campaign on behalf of Gilad Shalit, the abducted Israeli soldier. Rabbi Gelman also spearheaded relief efforts for the Jewish and general community of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He is a member of the National Rabbinic Cabinet of State of Israel Bonds and the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America. In December 2005, Rabbi Gelman delivered the annual Chanukah message to President Bush and the Jewish staff of the White House.
His passions include Modern Orthodox thought, reading, Zionism and the New York Yankees. He and his wife, Gabrielle, have four children.
