By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
For Rabbi Daniel Grossman, there was never any doubt in his mind as to his life’s work — to follow in the footsteps of his own rabbi, and become a religious leader.
And now, after 35 years in the clergy — 25 of them at Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrence — Rabbi Grossman has preached his last sermon.
His last day as the religious leader at the congregation on Lawrenceville Road, which numbers 285 families, was Monday.
"Rabbi (Alexander) Goldman was a great role model. I liked being around him. He did a lot to help people," Rabbi Grossman said. And it didn’t hurt that when a young Daniel Grossman sought out career counseling as a youth, he discovered that "clearly, it had to be in a ‘people’ field."
The rabbinate offered the perfect balance of scholarship, counseling, community work and a sense of enjoyment of the spirituality of a congregation, Rabbi Grossman said. It requires working with people.
After graduating from Temple University and studying in Israel, Rabbi Grossman enrolled at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in suburban Philadelphia. He tried his hand working with Hillel, the Jewish youth organization, at the Rochester Institute of Technology, before settling on a career as a pulpit rabbi in a synagogue.
Rabbi Grossman held positions at several synagogues, and was referred to the opening at Adath Israel Congregation by a friend. The synagogue, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, was located on Bellevue Avenue in Trenton at that time. It relocated to Lawrence Township 23 years ago.
Of course, Adath Israel Congregation has changed, he said. The move from Trenton to Lawrence has resulted in a rebirth of the congregation. Some families have belonged for three or four generations, but there are also many young families who have joined the synagogue, he said. The average age has dropped from 70 years old-plus to many members who are in their 40s.
The rabbi signed an initial three-year contract with Adath Israel to serve as its religious leader, and promptly purchased a house in Lawrence — making it clear that he and his family were setting down roots in the community.
Rabbi Grossman said when he arrived, he brought along "a lot of creative ideas." Among them was an emphasis on adult education and working with young Jewish children who are enrolled in special education programs in school.
The adult education programs go beyond the typical offerings one might find at a synagogue, he said. The courses range from medical ethics — how various cultures deal with end-of-life issues or transplants — to the history of Jews in the comic book industry.
"It is inconceivable to me that you can live an adult life and stop learning after age 13. You have to keep learning," Rabbi Grossman said. A child attains adult status in the religious community at 13 years old through the ceremony of a bar mitzvah or a bat mitzvah.
But the rabbi is especially pleased with Adath Israel’s special education program. Children who have a learning disability and require extra help may work with an aide or a tutor to master the material taught in the congregation’s Hebrew School. There is a resource room for the children, just as there is in the public schools.
"The reason it works is because it is not out of the norm," he said, adding that "all people are welcome here."
Rabbi Grossman is sensitive to the issue of disabilities, because he has a hearing impairment. In fact, he was discouraged by some to become a rabbi because of it. But he plunged ahead and attended the rabbinical program, gaining ordination as a rabbi.
Rabbi Grossman pointed out that several major Biblical figures had physical flaws or disabilities.
Moses stuttered, Isaac was blind and Jacob had a limp, he said. Historically, Jews never made a distinction between ability and disability. Nevertheless, he said, he did not want to be associated with a synagogue that does not like or accept people as members unless they are perfect.
"Everybody knows somebody who has a disability or special needs, but no one thought, ‘Are they welcome at the synagogue,’" he said. "It’s not a disability. It’s who you are. I will do a sermon in sign language, if it is necessary."
"I just like the fact that Adath Israel Congregation has become known as an accessible place for families. I am glad I could serve," Rabbi Grossman said.

