Religious Studies, San Diego State University

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Mailing address:
Religious Studies
College of Arts and Letters
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-6062

Email: mbolthou@mail.sdsu.edu
Phone: (619) 594-5185
Fax: (619) 594-1004
Location: Arts & Letters, Room 662

Last Update: 4/24/12

Scott Meltzer

Rabbi Scott Meltzer serves as rabbi of Ohr Shalom Synagogue in the historic synagogue building located at 3rd and Laurel in San Diego. He is currently the President of the San Diego Rabbinical Association, Chairperson of San Diego’s Joint Synagogue—United Jewish Federation Committee, and a Lecturer in Religious Studies at San Diego State University.

Previously, Rabbi Meltzer served as Dean of Students and Residential Life at the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to that, he was Director of Education of The Brandeis-Bardin Institute (BBI) and director of its renowned program, the Brandeis Collegiate Institute (BCI), where he was responsible for programs in residential and experiential Jewish education.

Before BBI, Rabbi Meltzer worked at the University of Southern California, assisting in courses in the Hebrew Bible, Ancient Near Eastern Mythology, Western Literature, and Ethics. He has also served congregations in Santa Maria, California, San Diego, and Butte, Montana, as well as a hospital chaplaincy in New York.

Rabbi Meltzer graduated and was ordained through the Hebrew Union College. As a rabbinic student, he was selected as a Wexner Graduate Fellow, a program designed to identify individuals interested in pursuing graduate work and professional training in Jewish communal life who exhibit exceptional leadership potential.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Rabbi Meltzer was raised there and in San Diego, California. He was part of the first graduating class at the San Diego Jewish Academy. After graduating high school in San Diego, he earned a B.A. with honors in Chemistry from Harvard University before attending rabbinic school. Rabbi Meltzer also holds a Master’s Degree in Religion and Social Ethics from the University of Southern California.

Rabbi Meltzer came to Ohr Shalom in August 2003. He lives in San Diego with his wife Jennifer, their daughter Shayna, age 5, son Nadiv, age 3, daughter Maital, age 1, and their dog Tchotchke. Jennifer Meltzer is an alumna of HUC and USC and has Master’s Degrees in Jewish Communal Service and Social Work.