Northampton - Rabbi Dr. Aryeh (Lawrence) Wineman a lifelong scholar, teacher, and spiritual guide, passed away peacefully in Northampton, Massachusetts on July 24, 2025, at the age of 93.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, on May 27, 1932, Aryeh pursued a life rooted in Jewish learning, spiritual leadership, and deep human connection. He began his academic journey at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and later studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, where he was ordained as a Conservative rabbi in 1959.

From 1962 to 1973, Aryeh lived in Israel, serving as a rabbi and staff member at Nitzanim Youth Village. This vibrant community—home to students from Morocco, Romania, Iran, Turkey, and beyond—held a special place in his heart and helped shape his lifelong dedication to multicultural dialogue and education.

He earned a doctorate in Hebrew Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1976, and studied in the graduate program in Hebrew Literature at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Aryeh served congregations with warmth and intellectual depth throughout his rabbinic career, including Kol Shofar in San Rafael, California, and most notably Temple Beth El in Troy, New York, where he led from 1985 to 2008. There, he combined his pulpit work with scholarship, leading rigorous study groups on Talmud, Kabbalah, and Hasidic thought. He also served as an advisor to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute–Russell Sage Hillel.

Aryeh married Dorothy Colodner in 1977. Together, they raised three children: Immanuel, Temima, and Ayala. His devotion to his family was a central joy of his life. Dorothy passed away in 2005, and her memory remained a guiding presence for Aryeh.

A prolific author and scholar, Aryeh published several books, including Beyond Appearances—Stories from the Kabbalistic Ethical Writings; Mystic Tales from the Zohar; The Hasidic Parable—An Anthology with Commentary; Letters of Light—Passages from Ma’or Vashemesh; and Agada and Art—Studies in the Works of Agnon (in Hebrew). His final book, The Hasidic Moses, was published in 2019. His articles on Hebrew literature and Jewish mysticism enriched academic and spiritual communities alike.

He was a proud member of the Rabbinical Assembly, the Association for Jewish Studies, and the National Association for Professors of Hebrew.

Following his retirement, Aryeh moved to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he remained actively engaged in scholarship and Jewish learning.

Rabbi Aryeh is remembered with deep love and admiration by his children, his students, his congregants, and the many who were touched by his wisdom, humility, and steadfast spiritual vision.

Rabbi Aryeh is survived by his children, Immanuel Wineman, Temima Wineman, and Ayala Wineman.

Funeral services for Rabbi Aryeh will be held on Sunday July 27th at 11:00 am at Congregation Beth El Cemetery, 51 Belle Ave. Troy, NY 12180.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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