“I believe that the purpose of the Jewish religion is to raise our moral consciousness, to cause us to make our every-day decisions, both large and small, taking into account our religious values. This is how we repair the world and this is what Beit Morasha teaches.”

Rabbi Fred Schwalb, a native New Yorker, graduated from the University of Wisconsin with honors in history and a second major in Semitic languages.  

Fred began his business career at Burlington Industries, where he ultimately served as Director of International Sales of Burlington Carpet Group/Export.  In the 1980’s he developed an unusual reputation as probably the only Jewish salesman selling rugs to Arab countries.  

At the age of 51, Fred dramatically altered his career path when he enrolled in the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, and was ordained at the age of 56.  Fred served as rabbi of the Hebrew Congregation of Somers for 15 years.   

Fred’s personal involvement with Israel began 50 years ago as a 14 year old who participated in a camping program for Israeli and Jewish youngsters from the Diaspora.  His visits to Israel continued, and as an active Zionist became president of the Student Zionist Organization at the University of Wisconsin. As current Chair of the American Friends of Beit Morasha he continues to follow his passion – values-based leadership training through Beit Morasha’s programs in ethics and values.  

Fred and his wife, Joanne, have five children – four adult sons and their daughter Zhenya, whom they adopted in the Autonomous Jewish Republic of Birobidjian, Siberia at the age of 14, one month before Vladimir Putin ended Russian adoptions. Fred and Joanne live in Croton on Hudson in New York State, and split their time at their home in Herzliah Pituach, Israel.