Mendy Ganchrow, M.D. - Biography
Mendy Ganchrow, M.D. is a retired colo-rectal surgeon, served as president of the Orthodox Union from 1994 through 2000. He served as chairman of the board until 2002. The Orthodox Union is the world's largest Orthodox Synagogue group and consists of over 1000 synagogues.
In 1968, while serving as an army combat surgeon in Vietnam, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and promoted to major. Upon the death of a Jewish chaplain, in light of his education at Yeshiva University and Orthodox upbringing, he was pleased to volunteer to serve as acting Jewish chaplain.
Civilian life lead him to a surgical practice in Rockland County, NY. As his practice grew, he simultaneously became deeply involved in the community. He served as president of his synagogue and local day school among his many different communal responsibilities.
In 1962, he organized the Hudson Valley Political Action Committee, which for a time was the largest local pro-Israel PAC in the US. He served as its president for 21 years.
During this time, he was extremely active in AIPAC on behalf of a strong US-Israel relationship.
He is former Chief of Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern NY. He was a clinical associate professor of surgery and wrote 19 surgical papers. He has served on many boards and commissions. He currently serves on committees of the governing board of the Jewish Agency.
In addition to his 3 books, he has written numerous Op-Eds on political, religious and general themes. His Op-Eds have been published in many newspapers. A few samples are reprinted at the conclusion of his latest book, "Journey through the Minefields." (See book info.)
Mendy
is a well known public speaker and scholar-in-residence at synagogues
throughout the US, Canada and other countries.