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Reform Rabbi Albert Axelrad Led Brandeis Hillel 34 Years

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 2:48 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Albert S. Axelrad, a Reform rabbi, died on Sept. 18 at age 87.
He led Brandeis University’s Hillel Foundation for 34 years beginning in 1965.
He promoted pluralism by hiring an Orthodox rabbi in the mid-1970s.
He co-founded the non-denominational Havurat Shalom in Somerville, inspiring the egalitarian havurah movement.
He advocated divestment from South Africa and counseled Vietnam-war conscientious objectors as a Jewish Peace Fellow.

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Story summary

Albert S. Axelrad, a Reform rabbi, died on Sept. 18 at age 87.
He led Brandeis University’s Hillel Foundation for 34 years beginning in 1965.
He promoted pluralism by hiring an Orthodox rabbi in the mid-1970s.
He co-founded the non-denominational Havurat Shalom in Somerville, inspiring the egalitarian havurah movement.
He advocated divestment from South Africa and counseled Vietnam-war conscientious objectors as a Jewish Peace Fellow.