Elisha Gordon: Bala Cynwyd Native Assists Greece’s Jewish Community
Elisha Gordon, originally from Bala Cynwyd, has relocated to Athens to serve the Jewish community as an assistant rabbi. Greece is home to about 5,000 Jews, making up roughly 0.05% of the country's population. Gordon joined this community after graduating from Brandeis University in the spring and moving to Athens in August.
Role and Responsibilities
Working through the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, Gordon supports local rabbis by assisting in Torah readings, organizing minyans, and teaching at the religious school affiliated with his organization.
Background and Experience
Gordon’s interest in European Jewish communities began after his freshman year of college, during a summer spent with the Lauder Foundation in Berlin. He explained,
“I got to see a lot of different Jewish communities in Europe. Like, we were based there [in Berlin], but we went to four or five other places in Europe. So that was a very enriching experience.”
He also has personal ties to Jewish Europe, holding a Dutch passport and having relatives in the Netherlands. He noted that the Foundation
“really opened my eyes a bit to Jewish Europe as a political, communal, religious entity.”
After graduating, Gordon leveraged his network with the Lauder Foundation—which supports Jewish life in Europe by aiding Jewish schools—to secure his position in Athens.
Summary
Elisha Gordon’s journey reflects his commitment to supporting Jewish communities in Europe by combining his education, personal heritage, and experience with a major Jewish organization.
Author’s note: Elisha Gordon’s work in Athens exemplifies how young leaders are revitalizing Jewish life in smaller European communities through education and religious service.
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