Rabbi Dr. Douglas Goldhamer z”l founded the Hebrew Seminary: A Rabbinic School for the Deaf and Hearing and Congregation Bene Shalom in Skokie, IL.

Following his rabbinic ordination at Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Goldhamer, together with Chicago deaf leaders, established Congregation Bene Shalom/Hebrew Association of the Deaf in 1972. For the past 50 years, he served as Senior Rabbi, serving the Deaf and hearing Jewish communities.

In 1992, Rabbi Goldhamer founded Hebrew Seminary, where he served as President, Rosh Yeshivah and Professor of Jewish Mysticism. He lectures on philosophy, Jewish mysticism and prayer throughout the United States.

Rabbi Goldhamer was Scholar in Residence and Professor of Philosophy at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., the only liberal arts university for the Deaf in the United States. In 1998, Rabbi Goldhamer received his Doctor of Divinity degree from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He also holds a PhD in Medieval Philosophy from the University of Chicago.

Rabbi Goldhamer’s book, Healing With God’s Love: Kabbalah’s Hidden Secrets, contains ancient Kabbalistic practices whose translations were not heretofore available to the public. Rabbi Goldhamer is also the co-author of This is For Everyone: Universal Principles of Healing Prayer and the Jewish Mystics.

Reflecting his ability to communicate in myriad ways, the Rabbi began painting 20 years ago. He focused on Jewish mystical and Biblical themes. His magnificent artwork has been shown in galleries nationally. You can see more of his work on his personal site, “The Painting Rabbi”, here.