The Rabbi's PhD Thesis, titled "A Comprehensive Analysis of Rabenu Abraham Maimuni’s Biblical Commentary" was submitted in 2012 to Brandeis University where he was awarded his PhD.
Rabbi Labaton served as the Head Rabbi of Congregation Magen David of West Deal from 1982 until his passing in 2013. He was the first full-time Rabbi hired by the synagogue, which was founded by Joseph M. Betesh shortly before. Magen David of West Deal flourished under the Rabbi's leadership. During the 31+ years Rabbi Labaton led the Magen David Synagogue, the Rabbi's philosophy became ingrained in its members. The synagogue continues to be dedicated to spread the Rabbi's ideas, ideals, and values; •To share his unique approach to Torah, which synthesized unwavering commitment and the highest standards of intellectual honesty. •To celebrate his love for the widest spectrum of books and his reputation as a "fearless reader". •To teach his passion and deep respect for Torah as a source of ethics. •To understand the value and beauty in every human being, each created b'Selem Elokim, in the Image of God; and •To encourage us to continue engaging in acts of tsedaka, mishpat, hesed, and Tikun Olam
In 1975, while still a graduate student, Rabbi Ezra and his wife Emily Friedman went to South Africa where they conducted seminars for Jewish children. In 1976, Rabbi Ezra and his wife worked to gather critical information on behalf of Soviet Jews in Russia.
Illness
The Rabbi was diagnosed in 1999 with Colon Cancer. He would fight through many cycles of treatment & recurrence as the disease spread, before ultimately passing away in 2013 of advanced lung cancer. In 2004, after recovering from his third recurrence, The Rabbi cited his illness & treatments as having helped him excel in the pastoral aspect of his role as Rabbi. He said it allowed him to empathize and share with other sick people, in a way that he never before was able to. As part of his recovery, the Rabbi became an avid runner, as he ran 5 miles each night, as often as 5 nights per week.
Current News
A number of the Rabbi's students have set up and maintain , to help perpetuate his legacy through his teachings. The site contains hundreds of audio lectures, tributes, and other notes from his archives. They are also working to archive the contents of the Rabbi's personal library, which include thousands of titles of Jewish Academia, as well as his personal archives of speeches and lecture notes.
