Rabbi to Present New Book at Oshman Family JCC

Acclaimed author and rabbi Joseph Telushkin will present his book Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History in a special event at Oshman Family JCC.

This biography, five years in the making, examines the personal side of this revered public figure while also exploring in-depth his considerable achievements, core philosophy, and pioneering initiatives and analyzing his stories and speeches.

The event takes place Sept. 14 at 3:00 PM in the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall. The price is $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

About Menachem M. Schneerson and Rebbe:

The only rabbi to receive the Congressional Gold Medal and to have a national day designated to him, the Rebbe, from his modest headquarters in Brooklyn, taught transcendent words that resonated with people of all faiths and galvanized policymakers and presidents worldwide. Two decades after his passing, no one has succeeded him in his position and his grave has effectively become the first major Jewish holy site in the United States.

As Rebbe reveals, Schneerson’s belief in the brotherhood of all of mankind and his refusal to judge others based on their level of religious observance, were radical ideas. According to Telushkin, this unprecedented openness also allowed him to grow the Chabad-Lubavitch movement into an international powerhouse, with branches in over a thousand cities, and to spread his wisdom about love, unity, and righteousness around the globe. Yet despite his stature, the Rebbe remained a humble person and was uncommonly accessible to anyone who wanted to meet him.

Telushkin addresses some of the most intriguing aspects of the Rebbe, his ideology, and his actions, including:

• The hope of many of his followers that he would become the Messiah during his lifetime, his rejection of these claims, and the enduring questions over this issue

• His innovation and advocacy of taking Judaism out into the world—trailblazing the first such effort in Jewish history

• His relationships with US Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and Israeli Prime Ministers Moshe Sharrett, Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, Benjamin Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon (whose sometimes controversial policies were informed by his counsel), and future prime ministers

• His willingness to stand steadfast in the face of enormous opposition over his support of nondenominational or silent school prayer

• His wish that a cult of personality not be formed around him, in keeping with his tremendous modesty

Joseph Telushkin is the bestselling author of Jewish Literacy, A Code of Ethics, and Biblical Literacy, among others.

--Announcement from Oshman Family JCC