Dr. Arnold Abrams (“Arnie” to his many friends) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He met his wonderful wife, Elaine, at a camp where she was the camp nurse and he a senior counselor. They have been married fifty-five years and have been blessed with two amazing children and three grandchildren.

 

He obtained both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He taught college for over fifty years. Arnie has worked as a speaker, consultant, and teacher for decades, and doing things for others has always been part of who he is. Arnie and his wife, Elaine, became members of Rodef Sholom Temple in 1975, and have been active in Temple activities, the Temple’s Men’s Club from its inception, and the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula (the UJCVP). 

 

He and Elaine are faithful attendees at Shabbat services and weekday Morning Minyan.  Arnie served as the Temple’s vice president and financial secretary, has served on the executive committee, as Sunday School principal, UJCVP camp director, and is an active member of the Temple’s Ritual Committee.  He has volunteered his time in many ways, helping to maintain the landscaping at the Temple and at the UJCVP, serving meals during when the Temple would formerly host a week-long homeless shelter, and calling bingo for the Temple and for the UJCVP. He was part of Sisterhood’s annual Cabaret, Purim carnivals, and various activities and fundraisers. Arnie has given selflessly to the Temple for many years. Being a part of the Jewish community is simply a part of who he is, reflecting how central Judaism is to Arnie’s life.