Rabbi Albert Axelrad, the founder of Emerson College’s Center for Spiritual Life, passed away at age 87 on September 18.
After a 34-year career at Brandeis University, Axelrad, often called Rabbi Al or Big Al, approached Emerson College in 1999 with a vision: He wanted a part-time position working three days a week and he wanted to chair a new center called the Center for Spiritual Life.
“I knew I wanted to be a university rabbi because I was drawn to academic life and the stimulation of a university,” Axelrad told The Berkeley Beacon in 2002 about what drew him to higher education. “I liked the idea of being a rabbi to young students and faculty and I wasn’t troubled that the salary scale for being a university rabbi [was] substantially less [than] a pulpit rabbi. It never bothered me.”
Axelrad’s activist ethos fit well with Emerson College, where he championed pluralism and social justice. His office resembled a dorm room, decorated with quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. and messages like, “Trust in God. She’ll provide.”
He wanted to help humanity—a commitment evidenced by the fact that, while working at Emerson, he also spent one day a week at Mass Eye and Ear as an interfaith chaplain, primarily serving end-of-life patients.
Axelrad retired in 2015 from Emerson, and his memory lives on. Director of Campus Centers Josh Hamlin remembers Axelrad blowing the shofar, a ceremonial ram’s horn, at major institutional events, and “being a vibrant and joyful presence on campus and within our community.”
“My personal memory of Rabbi Big Al highlights his unwavering compassion and genuine kindness, which deeply touched me and made me grateful for having known him,” said School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies Professor Eiki Satake. “Interacting with him rejuvenated me emotionally and spiritually, and I believe that warmth still lives in my heart.”
Axelrad brought with him a desire to help humanity. Satake recalls Axelrad being especially concerned about him nearly 10 years ago, when Satake underwent hip replacement surgery.
“He was kind and generous enough to come over to the hospital to give me a traditional Jewish blessing. Expressing deep care, gratitude, and best wishes for my quick recovery and well-being,” Satake recalled.
Axelrad grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended the Yeshivah of Flatbush. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Columbia University, according to his obituary. In 1965, he received rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. In addition to serving roles at Emerson and Brandeis, Axelrad co-founded the nondenominational Havurat Shalom congregation in Somerville, MA.
He was married to his wife, Berta, for 63 years. Together, they had four children and four grandchildren.