Ever since Rabbi Alan Kalinsky was a child growing up in Mill Basin, Brooklyn, he knew he wanted to make a big impact on the world.
“I had this notion of serving and being part of something bigger than myself,” he said.
When he was a student at Yeshiva University, he felt compelled to become ordained as a rabbi. He then joined the chaplaincy in the Air Force, and ended up in the reserves and serving Jewish people all over the world.
“Many of the rabbis that were my mentors at YU had served as rabbis during World War II, and they told very inspiring stories about their service,” Kalinsky said.
Though his work as a chaplain is very important to him, Kalinsky’s main job for most of his career was with the Orthodox Union on the West Coast. Last year, he officially retired from the OU, his employer for over three decades.
In his work, he was a liaison to OU member congregations on the West Coast as well as a mentor to other rabbis. Now, he’s still going out as a field representative for the OU Kashrut Division, which means that he visits OU-certified companies to make inspections.
“There is the old notion that to make something kosher, a rabbi has to bless the food, but that is very far from reality,” he said. “No one is blessing it. We are making certain that all of the ingredients that go into the production as well as the production itself clearly follow all the appropriate guidelines to ensure the kosher status of those items.”
Kalinsky is also working at Yeshiva University as a rabbinic mentor to young rabbis serving synagogues around the country.
“We are in the post-COVID moment right now,” he said. “A lot of synagogues have been in a holding pattern, and they’re doing their best via Zoom. The reality now is that we have turned the corner on COVID and people are back into personal interaction, which is so critical. That’s one of the key things I’m strongly recommending to all the rabbis.”
In his time serving as a congregational rabbi at several East Coast synagogues and locally at Young Israel of North Beverly Hills, Kalinsky learned about the importance of making meaningful connections with people.
“I advise the rabbis to engage with people where they are,” he said. “You cannot connect with people over the phone or Zoom. You connect when you reach out and show your care and concern for them.”
One of the things that Kalinsky believes is most impactful is staying with a congregation for the long term and forming relationships with families over time.
“That’s one of the greatest signs of Jewish continuity, where a rabbi has been in that close relationship with a family through life cycle events.”
“If you have the good fortune to serve in a synagogue for many years, you see the birth of a young child, then their bar or bat mitzvah, then their wedding, which you officiate, and then the birth of their children,” he said. “That’s one of the greatest signs of Jewish continuity, where a rabbi has been in that close relationship with a family through life cycle events.”
Looking back at his career in the rabbinate – which spans more than 40 years –Kalinsky credits his wife for always being there for him.
“Sandy has been at my side throughout all these experiences, and very supportive of everything I’ve endeavored to do,” he said.
In his reflective moments, Kalinsky is grateful not only for his wife’s support, but also for the opportunity to give back. Now, he’s hoping to pass along his knowledge and wisdom to the next generation of rabbis.
“I had a good fortune to do what I wanted for my career,” he said. “I’m fortunate to utilize different skills and talent in terms of working day and night on behalf of the Jewish community and people. Even though I officially retired from full-time duties, there are still things I’m able to impart on the next generation, who are eager for advice and assistance.” ■
Fast Takes with Alan Kalinsky
Jewish Journal: What is your favorite Jewish food?
Alan Kalinsky: Anything we eat on Shabbat has a special taste and aroma. When we share it with family and friends, it adds a whole different dimension to it.
JJ: Who is your superhero?
AK: Rabbi Lau, the former chief rabbi of Israel. He wrote an amazing book about his life journey as a Holocaust survivor called “Out of the Depths.” Rabbi Lau is my Jewish superhero.
JJ: What’s your perfect Shabbat look like?
AK: After all of the anticipation during the week and stresses and preparations on Thursday and Friday, up until candle lighting time, a total calm sets in as soon as Shabbos begins. Shabbos is really a special time where we have time with family, disconnect with the world around us and utilize the entire day to recharge our batteries and carry forward in the week ahead.
