Rabbi Emeritus Rod Glogower
Rabbi Rod Glogower led the Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan from 1981-1984 and 1988-2018, and came out of retirement to provide Rabbinic oversight and Halachic guidance to the AAOM for the 2022-23 academic year. He has since re-retired and moved with his wife Nehama to East Lansing, MI.
A native of Hamilton, Ohio, Rabbi Glogower grew up in Pittsburgh. He earned a B.A. in English Literature from Loyola University while attending full time classes at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Il. He received smicha with distinction from the Midrasha of Machon Harry Fischel in Jerusalem and then returned to America to pursue graduate work at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Glogower holds two Master's degrees in Jewish philosophy, from Yeshiva University and Brandeis University. The Glogower family moved to Ann Arbor in 1981 for what they thought would be a two year stint as assistant Hillel Director. Four and a half years later the family moved to Washington DC, where Rabbi Glogower assumed the pulpit at Kesher Israel — the Georgetown Synagogue. The Glogowers missed campus life and so, after three years, decided to move back to Ann Arbor. He also teaches adults through the Detroit Federation; has taught a course in Jewish law at the University of Michigan Law School; and was on the staff of the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit. Rabbi Glogower is also well known for his collection of sports memorabilia.
When asked about teachers who had influence upon him, Rabbi Glogower made special mention of Rabbi Eliezer Berkovitz, Rabbi Aharon Soloveichik, Professor Nehama Leibovitz, and Rabbi Norman Lamm. He, and his wife Nehama have six children: Abby, Ari, Naomi, Shira, Yoni and Johanna (Jo).