On a national level, Rabbi Saperstein served on the U.S. Commission on Mental Health at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter. For many years, he was a member of the Board of Governors of the New York Board of Rabbis, and was chairman of the Committee on Judaism and Health of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Rabbi Saperstein became spiritual leader at Temple Beth Am in 1957, serving until 1984 when he was named rabbi emeritus. After moving to Long Boat Key, Fla., he introduced a course in Jewish studies at New College, which is affiliated with the University of South Florida.
Rabbi Saperstein earned a master of arts degree in marriage and family counseling from Columbia University and a master of social work degree from Adelphi University. He was awarded his doctor of divinity, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
In a tribute to Rabbi Saperstein, Temple Beth Am declared: "Under his creative leadership for over a quarter of a century, Temple Beth Am pioneered innovative educational and spiritual programs that set standards of excellence for Reform Jewish congregations."
Rabbi Saperstein was predeceased by his wife.
