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Milton Steinberg, American author, philosopher, rabbi, teacher, and theologian, was born in Rochester, NY on November 24, 1903. His father Samuel was born in Seraye, Lithuania and educated at the yeshiva in Volozhin, Lithuania. His mother Fannie, nėe Sternberg, was born in Rochester, NY to a family that managed a boarding house. Milton had two sisters, Florence and Frieda. In 1919, the Steinberg family relocated to the Bronx so that his older sister Florence might pursue a singing career. After moving and attending DeWitt Clinton High School, he excelled in his studies and graduated valedictorian. He then attended City College of New York to study philosophy and there too he graduated first of class with additional prizes in history, philosophy, Greek, and Latin in 1924. He went on to attend the Jewish Theological Seminary and was ordained a rabbi in 1928. While attending seminary he also attended Columbia University where he earned a Masters degree in Philosophy.

His rabbinical career began in Indianapolis, Indiana where he would serve at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck starting in 1928. In June of 1929, Milton married Edith Alpert. Despite his good work and efforts at ministering to that community, the distance from family and familiar surroundings in New York City put a strain on the Steinbergs. It was with much delight in 1933, when he and Edith were able to return to New York City as Milton had been made Rabbi of the Park Avenue Synagogue. The following year their first son, Jonathan was born. Their second son, David, was born in 1937. Park Avenue Synagogue grew under his administration and teaching and grew from 120 families to over 700. The Steinbergs made their home at the synagogue and Milton remained its rabbi until his death. In addition to his rabbinical career he worked with Hadassah, the American Jewish Congress, and the Rabbinical Assembly-Committee on Social Justice, B’Nai B’rith’s Hillel Commission, Jewish Publication Society’s Publication Committee, the Board of Jewish Education, Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation, and served as editor of The Reconstructionist . He taught classes at the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Teachers Institute, and at the 92nd Street YMHA. And In 1942, while serving at Park Avenue Synagogue, Milton joined the New York State National Guard as a chaplain and was given the commission of Lieutenant Colonel. His first mission was to tour various Army bases throughout the country, mostly in Texas, to determine the spiritual needs of the soldiers there. His busy schedule and work load eventually took its toll on his health and while on tour in 1944 he suffered a heart attack. Due to the remoteness of his location he was unable to receive immediate medical attention which affected his ability to recover. While severely limiting his physical capabilities and restricted his propensity to do as many things in one day as possible it allowed him to focus on his family and his writings. Following the war his activities were limited mostly to writing, although he still served as rabbi and worked with Christian clergy seeking their support for the establishment of the state of Israel.

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