RABBI EDGAR WEINSBERG, Ed.D., D.D.
Rabbi Dr. Edgar Weinsberg of Sarasota, Florida, is an ordained rabbi and healthcare educator with a doctorate in gerontology. He is also a Certified Sexuality Counselor though the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
After his successful robotic surgery for prostate cancer in 2007, Rabbi Ed was moved to share his and others’ experiences by writing the book Conquer Prostate Cancer: How Medicine, Faith, Love and Sex Can Renew Your Life. Dr. Robert Carey, a urologist and a leading robotic surgeon, was a contributing author for the book, which has won several awards.
In addition to his work as an intimacy coach through his Sex and Cancer website, he also maintains the Conquer Prostate Cancer website to address the specific concerns of prostate cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones.
In March of 2009 Rabbi Ed was interviewed on ABC-7 News in Sarasota, Florida, on what to do "When Your Doctor Doesn't Listen." His views on coping with prostate cancer were presented in his interview with Dr. Tim Johnson on Good Morning America (ABC National News) in August, 2009. See his Media page for details on other media appearances.
Rabbi Ed earned his Master of Hebrew Literature (M.H.L.) in 1970 and his rabbinic title at New York City’s Jewish Theological Seminary in 1972. He earned his Ed.D. degree in gerontology at Columbia University Teachers College in 1974. Earlier he received a B.A. at UCLA, after completing his studies in Hebrew literature as well as German, English, history and psychology. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1998.
His career included serving 30 years as the rabbi of three congregations; a year as an adjunct professor at SUNY, Utica; and three years at Beit Berl Teachers College in Kfar Sava, Israel, as a Lecturer in Jewish Studies and Coordinator of Educational Gerontology. He also co-founded Hospice Care of Utica, New York, and throughout his career served as a part-time psychiatric center, nursing home and police chaplain, as well as a consultant.
While serving a Boston area congregation for 21 years (1985-2006), Rabbi Ed appeared frequently on public access radio and television. He also published book reviews and newspaper and journal articles, addressing religious and interfaith concerns and topics like volunteerism and Holocaust education. He is now Rabbi Emeritus of his former synagogue, Congregation Shirat Hayam of the North Shore (Boston).
His efforts on behalf of others were acknowledged when he received the Samuel Stahl Award for Community Service, in memory of media personality Lesley Stahl’s uncle; and the Leonard Zakim Humanitarian Award for Furthering Interfaith Understanding, in memory of the Boston Anti-Defamation League’s dynamic executive director. In 2001 he was listed in Who’s Who in America.
Rabbi Ed’s websites include www.RabbiEd.com, www.ConquerProstateCancer.com, and www.GreatSexAfterCancer.com.
