The Interview: Rabbi Donald Kunstadt

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Rabbi Donald Kunstadt is the spiritual leader of Mobile's Springhill Avenue Temple. Kunstadt's Rabbinical lineage dates back to the 1600s in Europe; however, neither his nor father or grandfather were Rabbis. But Kunstadt said their faith and examples of service in the Synagogue, influenced his decision.  He recently shared about his family's amazing history and the challenge for Judaism today.   

"I think was about 16 years old, and I was really inspired by nature. Look at the beautiful mountains or at the ocean they have a very close affinity with God and a sense of spirituality, and I too developed that sense of God in my life.  I figured, ‘Wow, if I can do this and study and learn about God and spirituality, what a wonderful career that would be,’" said Kunstadt.            

Springhill Avenue Temple is Alabama's oldest Jewish congregation originally established in 1844.

Kunstadt has served Mobile's Reform Jewish community for 25-years.  

Rabbi Kunstandt said his father's life was an example and major influence in his career decision.

"My father was involved in the Synagogue, my father was very religious.  I began my quest, and I actually studied religion at the University of California at Berkley so I have a degree in studying all religions.   And, then I decided to become a Reformed Rabbi. Rabbi's in my family go back to the 1600s, actually in Prague, now it’s the Czech Republic,” he said.   

Rabbi Kunstadt said another sad note in history stopped the Jewish faithful for centuries from sharing their religion with others.

"A lot of people don't realize that Judaism was actually a missionizing religion.  It all changed when Constantine became the Emperor and he declared Christianity, the Religion of the Holy Roman Empire and from that time on he said no longer can Jews missionize and that lasted for more than a 1,000 years.  They had terrible penalties sometimes even death, very, very sad history.  Judaism is a very welcoming religion and that, actually for the last 30 years or so the reform movement in particular has been reaching out to the unchurched; someone who is looking for spirituality and for ethics in their life.  We strongly welcome people, and that I think has really been the focus of my position here as a Rabbi," said Kunstadt. 

Rabbi Kunstadt is committed to outreach. He believes its vital to Judaism.

"I think the biggest challenges really have to do with numbers. Religion in general, I think is seeing a weakening, especially you can see it in northern Europe very, very few people participate in organized religion there. And that’, I think, spreading a little bit in the United States.  If you look at the statistics of Christian churches they are not growing at all, only most Fundamentalists seem to be growing," Kunstadt has observed.  

America's history of tolerance and freedom of religion keeps Rabbi Kunstadt excited about the future.

"We live in a wonderful land where there's complete openness to religion and anyone can chose any religion they want or they leave any religion they were born in and Judaism has to be on the vanguard of understanding that, and letting people know that we welcome the intermarried.   I think it’s the future of Judaism. I look forward to the future to see what's going to happen next," says Kunstadt.

Rabbi Kunstadt said another way to address the numbers is to make the Synagogue's Religious School spiritually inviting so that children have a great time, good memories and want to come back.  The Rabbi grew up in the Los Angeles area, but he has now lived in the other Alabama longer than anywhere in his life.  He said a Rabbi's relationship with his Congregation is like a marriage. Kunstadt said he's been truly blessed all these years here.