Arnie Samlan

The first words that come to mind when I think of Rav Arnie are CREATIVE, CURRENT and CONNECT. The Rav brings his whole self to his work; a holistic approach to education both when he is learning and when he is teaching. This means that his mixing board and table tops, which he uses after hours, are actually a metaphor for his daytime activity. Arnie is a warm person who develops meaningful relationships with his colleagues and who has a fast button for making connections between people.

Arnie is just what today's Jewish community needs. His ability to make important connections, to share his innovative ideas, and to collaborate with others helps people feel more in touch with how to approach their Jewishness. I have had the supreme pleasure of working with Arnie in a non-traditional way, and I can honestly say I've learned a tremendous amount from him. Anyone who wants to learn more about open-minded approaches to life and to Judaism would be lucky to work with Arnie.

Looking for someone to think "outside the box" with about Jewish education, identity, and connection? Rabbi Arnie Samlan is your man. And you'll have fun doing it too.

It has been my great pleasure to know and work with Arnold Samlan for nearly a decade. Rarely does one meet an extraordinary person like Arnie -- a leader, innovative educator, mentor, and genuine mensch, who shares his wealth of knowledge and understanding of Judaism, business, people, and current trends. I found Arnie's approach simultaneously inventive and sensible, the best of both worlds. He can think outside the box while making sure to focus on and meet goals. In addition, his excellent use of social media and contemporary communications gives him an additional edge.

I first met Arnie when I was new to UJA-Federation of New York, and he was with the Board of Jewish Education/The Jewish Education Project. He was essential in guiding me at times and always willing to be a sounding board.

Arnie's helpful, informative, friendly, professional, and ambitious attitude is infectious. His passion for his work is inspiring. He easily and comfortably brings people together for successful collaborations, sets and achieves goals, and inspires people to embrace Jewish life. It would be my honor and pleasure to work with him in the future.

Working with Arnie was a breath of fresh air. Arnie is an out-of-the box thinker with a great attitude. He is a connector, life long learner, and community builder par excellence!

Arnie has a unique way of bringing people together as well as tapping into what makes both people and organizations tick. I've had the pleasure of attending several of the workshops that Arnie has put together where I gained a great deal of insight on those particular topics. Any time I see Arnie's name associated with a project it makes it more intriguing to me, because I know I will not only learn a lot about the subject but meet others who have the same curiousity and quest for knowledge as I do. I have met more than a few colleagues that I have developed relationships with through Arnie.

I have known Arnie for more than 30 years. We have worked together on various projects and served together in many organizations. Arnie is one of the most energetic and creative people in our field. He gets involved actively in new programs and connects quickly with new ideas. He is always learning about new approaches and methods and is a leader in our field. Arnie is also an outstanding teacher. I have learned with him and observed him teaching. He is gifted in his ability to connect with students of all ages and engage them effectively. Arnie is very level headed and has a good sense of himself. He does not overpower others with his enthusiasm or knowledge. Whatever he does, he does thoughtfully and well. I have the highest regard for his talent and abilities and his personal integrity.

Rabbi Samlan (lovingly referred to as Arnie) is one of my first teachers. I was 15 when I met him and he has been teaching me ever since. Arnie's love for Judaism - for connecting people to Jewish life, to Jewish knowledge and to each other - is unmistakable and unwavering. One of the things I admire and respect the most about Arnie as an educator is his ability to make Judaism accessible to all Jews. He joins his wealth of knowledge and a compassion and respect for where each person is on his/her own path. He has an uncanny ability to make people comfortable in asking the most difficult questions.

As a colleague, I have watched Arnie convene incredibly difficult conversations and bring people together for a positive outcome. His intellect, warmth, knowledge, and skills all rise to the challenge when needed.

It has been one of the best parts of my Jewish professional life to sit side-by-side with my teacher as a colleague in the field.

I've had the privelege of working with Arnie for teh past 4 1/2 years. Arnie operates out of a set of values that are readily apparent in everything he does. Foremost to my mind are his love of learning, his capapcity for creating relationships built upon trust and caring, and his ever present willingness to work in collaboation with peers and colleagues.
Arnie has always exhibited profesional flexibility and a willingness to take on new responsibilities in a rapidly changing work environment. He is a great team player and effective network weaver, whose strong personal and professinal relationships always serve him and the organization well.
Arnie has a great sense of humor and is well liked and respected by everyone who has the good fortune of working with him. Whether leading a team or as a member of one, he maintains the highest professional standards and strives for excellence.

Rabbi Samlan is a remarkably thoughtful and forward-thinking Jewish educator. As a colleague in the Mandel Teacher Education Initiative I saw his abilities to cut through issues to find optimal solutions. I see Arnie at the forefront of Jewish educational adaptation in a fast-changing world.