Rabbi Jack Shlachter/Photo Courtesy LAJC
LOS ALAMOS JEWISH CENTER NEWS RELEASE
The Los Alamos Jewish Center (LAJC) invites the public to a special Community Shabbat Dinner on Friday, June 27, honoring Rabbi Jack Shlachter and his 30 years of spiritual leadership in Northern New Mexico.
Known affectionately as the “Physics Rabbi,” Rabbi Jack has spent three decades bridging the worlds of science and spirituality. A theoretical physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), he simultaneously built a legacy as a teacher, counselor, and community leader—guiding generations through Jewish learning and life cycle events.
“Rabbi Jack has a love for teaching and learning, whether from physics or Torah, and an ability to explain complex ideas with clarity, humor, and humility. That’s what makes him such a well-respected leader,” said Sy Stange, Chair of the Los Alamos Jewish Center’s Religious Committee.
Jack Shlachter first arrived in Los Alamos in 1979 as a doctoral student at LANL.
Over the years, he advanced to leadership roles in both the Experimental Physics and
Theoretical Divisions—the latter was one led by J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Manhattan Project. But even while shaping scientific discovery, Jack was also answering a spiritual call.
In 1995, after a decade of self-guided Jewish study, he became the first rabbi in LAJC’s history to emerge from within the congregation itself. Since then, he has officiated weddings, led High Holiday services, offered pastoral care, and educated community members across multiple generations—all while maintaining his role at LANL.
“Why is the law of gravity the way it is? That’s not a physics question; that’s a Judaism question,” he once remarked—an insight emblematic of his thoughtful, interdisciplinary approach.
Rabbi Jack has also garnered national attention through lectures that explore the relationship between science and Jewish thought, including his widely shared talk, “Two Jews in Conflict: Strauss and Oppenheimer.”
The June 27 celebration honors not only his ordination, but a life of dedication to both truth and tradition. As Rabbi Jack reflects on his journey, he says, “The Los Alamos Jewish Center was here when I came here. And my hope is that it continues to be a strong, welcoming presence for generations to come.”
To RSVP to the Los Alamos Jewish Center’s Community Shabbat Dinner honoring Rabbi Jack’s 30 years of ordination, visit: lajc.org/event-list.
About the Los Alamos Jewish Center
The Los Alamos Jewish Center (LAJC) is a welcoming, inclusive congregation serving the Jewish community of Los Alamos, New Mexico and surrounding areas. Rooted in tradition while embracing diversity, LAJC offers religious services, educational programs, cultural events and community engagement opportunities for individuals and families of all backgrounds. With a commitment to lifelong learning, social responsibility, and spiritual growth, LAJC fosters a vibrant and connected Jewish life in Northern New Mexico.
For more information, please visit lajc.org, call (505) 662-2140, or send an email to losalamosjewishcenter@lajc.org.