Celebrating Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman '69, Ph.D. '73, a True Giant of our Community, on Founders' Day

For decades, Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman ’69, Ph.D. ’73, The Barbara and Stephen Friedman Professor Emeritus of Liturgy, Worship and Ritual, has stood at the heart of Hebrew Union College — not just teaching, but transforming how generations of rabbis and cantors understand prayer, ritual, and sacred community. Hundreds of spiritual leaders across the Reform Movement carry his teachings into their pulpits and congregations every day. His scholarship has shaped the field itself, and his influence has left an indelible mark on so many of us.

This Founders’ Day, we come together to honor a career defined by scholarship, dedication, and impact, and to say thank you to a mentor and friend whose imprint on Hebrew Union College and the Reform Jewish Movement will endure for generations to come.