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The Rabbi Maurice T. Galpert Memorial Scholarship Award

The Rabbi Maurice T. Galpert Memorial Scholarship Award is given annually to stimulate and support meritorious scholarly pursuit of higher education. Applicants should submit proposals for a specific project or activity characterized by breadth and depth, having a long range goal, and leading to their scholarly development. Eligibility is restricted to Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center members, their children and grandchildren.

"My dad strongly believed that lifelong learning was critical in order to have a meaningful life." — Noni Galpert Paris 

In the thirty-five years since the passing of our beloved Rabbi Maurice T. Galpert, new families and a new generation of PJTC members have walked through the doors of the sanctuary that bears his name, and for thirty-one years we have honored his memory by awarding the Rabbi Maurice T. Galpert Memorial Scholarship.

During the thirty-six years he served at PJTC, Rabbi Galpert left an indelible impression on our community. He was loved and admired as a scholar, a mentor, a confidant and a friend. Rabbi Galpert helped us bring out the best in ourselves as he led the congregation to become the thriving Jewish community we are today.

The Rabbi Maurice T. Galpert Memorial Award Committee will consider proposals from applicants who are pursuing graduate degrees and have a long-range goal leading to scholarly development. The award includes a cash prize, a certificate and the addition of the recipient’s
name on a plaque in the foyer of the synagogue.

Applications should include the following materials:

1) an autobiography describing activities, interests, goals and accomplishments
2) a proposal for the project and its relevance to the scholarly development of the applicant
3) sealed undergraduate academic transcripts 
4) two letters of recommendation attesting to the personal and academic excellence of the applicant, sent directly by the recommender to the Scholarship Award Committee co-chairs

Mail your completed application to the Rabbi Maurice T. Galpert Memorial Scholarship Award Committee:

Janice Pais & Debby Singer 
2246 Lambert Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107 

Click here for application guidelines.

Click here for letters of recommendation guidelines.

Submissions for the 2024 award are due by September 16, 2024. 

The award will be presented on Erev Rosh Hashannah, Wednesday, October 1, 2024. 

Rabbi Galpert: The Man

Maurice T. Galpert served as PJTC’s Rabbi for 36 years until his passing in 1988. He left a strong imprint on our community and his legacy lives on through the presentation of a special award each year, designed to stimulate and support meritorious scholarly pursuit. Members of PJTC, their children and their grandchildren are encouraged to apply and since the first award was given in 1990, there have been 37 individuals who can call themselves Galpert Scholars!

Rabbi Galpert was known not only for his own intellect and scholarly pursuits, but for his wit, love of classical music, his linguistic capabilities, his ability to capture the essence of the times in his sermons and his undaunting connection with his Judaism which he brought to the congregation in an authentic and meaningful way. Above all, though, he will be remembered for his warmth and his ability to connect with everyone he met both in and out of our own community.

In addition to being our beloved Rabbi, he was a husband, a father, a stepfather and a grandfather. His daughter Noni Paris, her husband and son live in Arizona. She remembers her dad this way:

Rabbi Galpert: The Dad (by Noni Galper Paris)

It had been many years since my last visit to his grave at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. It was raining and I was having a hard time finding his headstone. I asked a nearby staff person who said he couldn’t help me, but a gravedigger close by overheard the conversation and said "I know where Rabbi Galpert is buried. He continued, "He was the only rabbi who took the time to speak to me and he spoke to me in Spanish." I got in his little cart, he drove up the hill and took me right to where my dad was buried.

Dad was a true Renaissance man. He never stopped learning and he encouraged everyone he knew to do the same. I earned my Doctorate in Education and my brother became a medical doctor. When most women stayed at home, dad encouraged my mom to go to law school and develop a successful practice. I was at her graduation. I was eight.

My dad strongly believed that lifelong learning was critical in order to have a meaningful life. Therefore, the Rabbi Galpert Scholarship Fund is such an appropriate way to honor his memory. He wanted everyone to reach their potential, not only for themselves but also for the good of society.

Thu, November 21 2024 20 Cheshvan 5785