Rabbi Emeritus Mayer Perelmuter

Rabbi Emeritus Mayer I. Perelmuter stepped down from the pulpit in 2013 after 36 years as the spiritual leader of The Reform Temple of Forest Hills. Rabbi Perelmuter has done his share to make the world a better place by not only inspiring us to live dedicated to Tikkun Olam, by leading by example. By his own actions, he inspires congregants to live, learn and grow Jewishly.

In addition to his responsibilities at The Reform Temple of Forest Hills, Rabbi is an adjunct professor at St. John’s University, where he teaches one undergraduate class per semester.

Rabbi Perelmuter is one of three founders of the Queens Interfaith Network. The network ties together local houses of worship to engage in a yearly Thanksgiving service and ongoing social action projects such as collecting relief funds for disasters or building for Habitat for Humanity.

Rabbi’s community work extends to the Jewish Board of Family Services, the Central Queens Y and the Queens Jewish Community Council. He is also a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and has served as a First Vice President of the New York Association of Reform Rabbis and on the Board of the CCAR.

Rabbi has a strong interest in pastoral care and has earned a Doctor of Ministry from Hebrew Union College in this area. He received Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training in hospice centered care, loss and bereavement. He has also earned a Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Rabbi and his wife, Debby, have three children and four grandchildren. Debby serves as a First Vice President of the Jewish Child Care Association. Rabbi plans to study, publish and spend time with family and friends. His never-ending desire to learn and share will continue to blossom as his travels take him to new horizons.