Herbert Dobrinsky

Born in Montreal, Rabbi Dr. Herbert Dobrinsky came to New York City in 1948 to attend the third year of high school at the Yeshiva University High School for Boys/Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy. He graduated from Yeshiva College in 1954 and was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) in 1957. Dr. Dobrinsky also holds a master's degree and a doctoral degree in education from the University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.

Following five years as a rabbi at Beth Israel Synagogue in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dr. Dobrinsky joined Yeshiva University in 1962 as associate director of the Community Service Division at RIETS. He was named vice president for university affairs in 1981, following 19 years of service to the institution in numerous positions, including director of rabbinic placement for nine years.

Dr. Dobrinsky's outstanding achievements as a scholar, educator, administrator and communal leader include being co-founder with the late Haham, Rabbi Dr. Solomon Gaon of the Sephardic Studies Program and the Sephardic Community Activities Program at the University, aimed at preserving the rich Sephardic Jewish heritage of North America. He was also co-founder of the American Society of Sephardic Studies and served as vice president of programming for the society. He is the author of A Treasury of Sephardic Laws and Customs. He also helped establish the University's Holocaust Studies Program and has been honored several times within the University and RIETS.

During his years of service to the University, Dr. Dobrinsky has traveled and lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Central America, England and Israel. He has visited more than 100 communities to gain firsthand insight into their needs. He also directed the initial stages of the University's $100-million Century Campaign.