The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) has announced the appointment of Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs '68 as president of the organization. The WUPJ is active in 45 countries and is the international umbrella organization of the Reform, Liberal, Progressive and Reconstructionist movements, and seeks to strengthen Jewish life by establishing and supporting modern, pluralistic congregations and institutions, developing Jewish communal and youth leadership and advancing social justice. As president, Fuchs will spend time in the United States and Israel to encourage the advancement of Progressive Jewish life.
World Union Chairman Mike Grabiner stated: "I am very excited by the opportunity that the appointment of Rabbi Stephen Fuchs will give to the WUPJ. He is a visionary leader, an excellent speaker and advocate, and is passionate about the development of Progressive Judaism in Israel and around the world.”
Rabbi Richard Hirsch, honorary life president of the WUPJ, said: "Rabbi Fuchs has a distinguished record of service and leadership in the rabbinate. He has a sterling reputation as a scholar, a Jewish educator, a social activist and community leader. He is a role model of a spiritual leader who manifests throughout his entire career the noblest Jewish values."
Fuchs has previously served as the senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford,CT adjunct professor at the Hartford Seminary, senior rabbi at Congregation Ohabai Shalom in Nashville,TN and rabbi at Temple Isaiah in Columbia, MD.
At Hamilton, Fuchs majored in government. He played squash, tennis, and ice hockey and was a member of Delta Upsilon. After graduating he went on to earn his master's degree from Hebrew Union College in 1974 and his doctor of ministry degree from Vanderbilt University. In 1999 he received an honorary doctor of divinity from Hebrew College.
