Roland B. Gittelsohn

Roland B. Gittelsohn (May 13, 1910 – December 13, 1995) was an American rabbi and author. He served as founding rabbi of Central Synagogue in Rockville Center, New York from 1936-1953. He was the first Jewish chaplain assigned to the United States Marine Corps, serving in the U. S. Navy during World War II. In 1945, he delivered a eulogy after the Battle of Iwo Jima dedicating the 5th Marine Division's cemetery. Its text was republished widely. (The division held separate Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish dedication ceremonies.) Gittelsohn was Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel in Boston from 1953-1977.

After the war, Gittelsohn served on the President's Committee on Civil Rights in Harry Truman's administration. He later served as president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

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