Gratz College mourns the passing of Dr. Ernest “Ernie” M. Kahn. Dr. Kahn served as interim president of Gratz College from 1997-1999. In addition, he was a recipient of an honorary doctorate from Gratz. His friends and colleagues at Gratz recall him as an incredibly kind and humble leader. As he relayed in a 2009 interview, Dr. Kahn’s experiences shaped a powerful vision for himself and those around him throughout his distinguished career.

Dr. Kahn held leadership roles on local and national levels. In addition to his stewarding of Gratz College, beginning in 1978, Dr. Kahn was a fixture at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, holding key positions throughout his tenure. Beyond Philadelphia, Dr. Kahn served as president of the Jewish Communal Service Association of North America and was a member of the Committee on Human Services and Social Policy of the United Jewish Communities. He was also a consultant to both the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the Department of Labor, and served as a member of the Advisory Committee that developed the U.S./Israel Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding.

An expert in education and nonprofit management, Dr. Kahn was awarded a B.S.S. degree from City College of New York, an M.S.W. from the University of Chicago, and the Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. He held faculty positions at the University of Maryland and Temple University. Dr. Kahn published in professional journals and has lectured at universities in the U.S., Europe, and Israel.

Dr. Kahn is survived by his children, Rachel Kahn Ross, Beth Kahn, and several grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to graveside services Friday at 1:00 p.m. precisely at the Roosevelt Memorial Park (Section BB), 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose, PA 19053.