.svg)
![Kock ([kɔt ͡sk], Kotzk) is a town in eastern Poland, about 45 km north of Lublin and 120 km south-east of Warsaw. It lies in Lublin Voivodeship, in Lubartów County. It is the capital of the Kock Commune.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110527020539im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/b8/81/940e8706d872c9017c0135bd28dc_grande.jpg "Kock ([kɔt ͡sk], Kotzk) is a town in eastern Poland, about 45 km north of Lublin and 120 km south-east of Warsaw. It lies in Lublin Voivodeship, in Lubartów County. It is the capital of the Kock Commune.")
Whilst rebbe is a term that can refer to any leader of Jewry, 'Rebbe' or 'Rebbi' when mentioned in the Talmud is a reference to the redactor of the Mishna, Rabbi Judah Hanasi. In common parlance of modern times, the term 'Rebbe' is often used by chasidim to refer to their 'rebbe'.
In the American yeshivish world, when not referring to a hasidic rebbe, the word may be pronounced "rebbee".
The Sages of the Mishnah known as the tannaim, from the 1st and 2nd centuries of the common era, were known by the title Rabbi, for example Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochoy. Rabbi Yehudah haNasi, the leader of Jewry, was simply called Rabbi, meaning "the Rebbe".
The Sages of the Talmud known as the Amoraim from the 3rd, 4th and early 5th centuries, those born in the Land of Israel, were called Rabbi; but those born in the diaspora were known by the title Rav.
Chasidim use the term to denote someone that they perceive not only as the religious leader of their congregation, but as their spiritual adviser and mentor. A rebbe is someone whose views and advice are accepted not only on issues of religious dogma and practice, but in all arenas of life, including political and social issues.
There may be non-chasidim who use the concept of a (non-hasidic) rebbe in this context and would also use this term. Example: "I will ask my rebbe, Rabbi so-and-so, for advice about this personal matter."
Among chasidim, a rebbe is referred to in Hebrew as "Admor".
Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism is regarded by Hasidim, as the first Hasidic rebbe.
During his lifetime he was referred to mainly as "The Holy One" rather than as "Rebbe," and his disciples were "magidim" or "preachers", such as the Magid of Chernobyl or the Magid of Mezritsh.
The first "rebbe" to be known as such was the Baal Shem Tov's grandson, Rabbi Boruch of Mezhbizh who was referred to as "The Rebbe" during his lifetime. After him, those who rose to positions of leadership and their successors began to be called rebbe. The title gradually came to suggest a higher spiritual status.
Each Hasidic group refers to its leader as "The Rebbe".
Hannah Rachel Verbermacher, also known as the Maiden of Ludmir or the "Ludmirer Moyd", was the only female rebbe in the history of the Hasidic movement; she lived in the nineteenth century in Ukraine and Israel .
Outside of Hasidic circles the term "Grand Rabbi" has been used to refer to a rebbe. The practice became widespread in America in the early 1900s when Hasidic rebbes began to emigrate to the United States and was derived from the German Grossrabbiner.
As a result, chasidim in some chasidic circles seek their rebbe's advice for a variety of concerns: spiritual, physical, and even business concerns. Furthermore, many people seek the blessing (brocho) of a rebbe (and a chosid will specifically seek the blessing of his own rebbe) for anything from minor (and all the more so major) physical troubles, to grand spiritual concerns. Many famous and common stories of a rebbe's intervention involve women who successfully seek a rebbe's blessing for fertility so that they can conceive after having been barren for many years.
Given a rebbe's physical awareness of God, and the Rebbe's transcendent perception of Godliness, many chasidim take special care to observe the specific and sometimes minute practices of their Rebbe. Even things that seem mundane may nonetheless be seen by chasidim as incredibly significant. For example, Lubavitcher chasidim frequently shape their fedoras to match the way that the Lubavitcher Rebbe shaped his hat-which was more flat than many others. Many Skverer chasidim (of the Skverer Rebbe in New Square) wear their peyos identical to those of the Skverer Rebbe. While chasidim do not always follow the specific practices of their rebbe, the rebbe is able to create practices that may be specific and unique to his chasidim. For example, Rabbi Aaron Roth (Reb Areleh, as he was called) the first rebbe of Shomer Emunim, told his chasidim to pause frequently while eating their meals in order to keep them from overindulging.
A chosid will usually love his rebbe like a close family member, if not more so. But the degree and nature of this belief varies depending on the movement. In some movements the chasidim believe that their rebbe is the "tzadik hador" (greatest and holiest saint of the generation) and would regard any thought that detracts from his perfection and holiness as heresy. Other sects lessen this idealization to some degree or another. Since many rebbes are sons-in-law or students of other rebbes, it makes sense that they would view themselves as subordinate to those other rebbes. Nonetheless, their chasidim remain loyal to them because of their special loyalty, a family connection, or a belief that a specific tzaddik (though there may be others of greater spiritual stature) connects best with one's soul. For example, the Kosover Rebbe makes yearly pilgrimages to the Tosher Rebbe. Nonetheless, his chasidim remain very loyal to him. The most well-known "rebbe of rebbes" was the Satmarer Rebbe, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum.
Others are not exclusive to Hasidic rebbes, but are often an important part of their role:
Some chasidic rebbes have thousands of followers, or disciples, called chasidim, whilst others may number only a few hundred. Some only have a title, but do not have a following beyond their own family members and a few congregants in their synagogues.
Rebbes are usually called by the Yiddish name of the geographic region in which they or their predecessors gained prominence: e.g., the first Bobover Rebbe lived in Bobowa (Poland), the first Skulener Rebbe lived in Skuleny (Bessarabia), the first Munkatcher Rebbe in Munkacs, Ukraine and the first Bostoner Rebbe, a son-in-law and close disciple of the Lelover Rebbe, briefly started to serve as a rebbe in Boston, MA before moving to New York.
Some chasidim, such as the Breslover, follow their deceased Rebbe, Rabbi Nachman of Breslav.
Hundred of groups of chasidim and thousands of Rebbes, have been since the founding of Chasidus. Some have established dynasties, and some dynasties have come to an end, leaving their writings or legacy. Some have been renewed by their descendants or by a spiritual descendant. Some have no Chasidim only a Shul, and some don't have a Shul, but they do have chasidim. Some have neither chasidim nor a Shul, only a title.
Category:Hebrew words and phrases Category:Orthodox rabbinic roles and titles Category:Yiddish words and phrases
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
| Coordinates | °′″N°′″N |
|---|---|
| Honorific-prefix | Rabbi |
| Name | Menachem Mendel Schneerson |
| Title | Lubavitcher Rebbe |
| Caption | Lubavitcher Rebbe |
| Synagogue | 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY |
| Began | 10 Shevat 5711 / January 17, 1951 |
| Predecessor | Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn |
| Birth date | April 5, 1902 OS (11 Nissan 5662) |
| Birthplace | Mykolaiv, Ukraine |
| Death date | June 12, 1994 NS (3 Tammuz 5754) (aged 92) |
| Deathplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Buried | Queens, New York, USA |
| Dynasty | Chabad Lubavitch |
| Parents | Levi Yitzchak Schneerson Chana Yanovski Schneerson |
| Spouse | Chaya Mushka Schneerson |
| Semicha | Rogatchover Gaon |
Menachem Mendel Schneerson (April 5, 1902 OS – June 12, 1994 NS), known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or just the Rebbe among his followers, was a prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Rebbe (Hasidic leader) of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. He was fifth in a direct paternal line to the third Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneersohn.
In January 1951, a year after the death of his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, he assumed the leadership of the Lubavitch movement. He led the movement until his death in 1994, greatly expanding its worldwide activities and founding a worldwide network of institutions to spread Orthodox Judaism among the Jewish people. These institutions include schools, kindergartens, synagogues, Chabad houses, and others, and are run under the auspices of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, the educational branch of the Chabad movement.
Some viewed his focus on messianism as controversial. During his lifetime many of his followers had considered him to be the Jewish Messiah, and even after his death, some continue to await his return as the Messiah.
The youngest, Yisrael Aryeh Leib Schneerson, was close to his brother, and often traveled with him. He was widely viewed as a genius and studied science. In the late 1920s he became a Communist, later becoming a Trotskyite. After he left the Soviet union he stopped being an observant Jew. He changed his name to Mark Gourary and moved to Israel where he became a businessman, but later moved to England where he began doctoral studies at Liverpool University but died in 1951 before he completed them. His wife died in 1996 and his children—Schneerson's closest living relatives—currently reside in Israel. When Schneerson was eleven years old, Vilenkin informed the boy's father that he had nothing more to teach his son.
Schneerson later studied independently under his father, who was his primary teacher. He studied Talmud and rabbinic literature, as well as the Hasidic view of Kabbalah. He received his rabbinical ordination from the Rogatchover Gaon, Yosef Rosen, and from Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (also known as the Sridei Aish). Schneerson's mother said her son never attended any Soviet school, though he took the exams as an external student and did well on them According to Avrum Ehrlich, he immersed himself in Jewish studies while simultaneously qualifying for Russian secondary school. Throughout his childhood Schneerson was involved in the affairs of his father's office, where his secular education and knowledge of the Russian language were useful in assisting his father's public administrative work. He was also said to have acted as an interpreter between the Jewish community and the Russian authorities on a number of occasions.
In 1923 Schneerson visited Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn for the first time. It was presumably at that time that he met Schneersohn's middle daughter, Chaya Mushka. Professor Menachem Friedman found his records amongst the students who "audited courses at the university without receiving academic credit." While he was there, he composed hundreds of pages of original Torah discourses, subsequently published as "Reshimot," and corresponded with his father on Torah matters, which were published in the 1970s in the book "Likuttei Levi Yitzchak—Letters."
Soloveitchik's daughter Dr. Atarah Twersky recalls Soloveitchik saying that Schneerson visited her father in his apartment and the former asked the latter why he was studying in Berlin if his father-in-law was opposed to it. Other sources deny this. According to Soloveitchik's son Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik, Rabbi Soloveitchik only saw Schneerson pass by in Berlin and they did not meet while there.
Schneerson learned to speak French, which he put to use in establishing his movement there after the war. The Chabad movement in France was later to attract many Jewish immigrants from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Schneerson placed a tremendous emphasis on outreach. He made great efforts to intensify this program of the Chabad movement, bringing Jews from all walks of life to adopt Torah-observant Judaism, and aggressively sought the expansion of the baal teshuva movement. His work included organizing the training of thousands of young Chabad rabbis and their wives, who were sent all over the world by him as shluchim (emissaries) to spread the Chabad message.
He oversaw the building of schools, community centers, youth camps, and "Chabad Houses", and established contacts with wealthy Jews and government officials around the world. Schneerson also instituted a system of "Chabad mitzvah campaigns" called mivtzoim to encourage Jews to follow Orthodox Jewish practices. They commonly centered on practices such as keeping kosher, lighting Shabbat candles, studying Torah, putting on tefillin, helping to write sifrei Torah, and teaching women to observe the laws of Jewish family purity. He also launched a global Noahide campaign to promote observance of the Noahide Laws among gentiles, and argued that involvement in this campaign is an obligation for every Jew.
He lobbied Israeli politicians to pass legislation in accordance with Jewish religious law on the question "Who is a Jew?" and declare that "only one who is born of a Jewish mother or converted according to Halakha is Jewish." This caused a furor in the United States. Some American Jewish philanthropies stopped financially supporting Chabad-Lubavitch since most of their members were connected to Reform and Conservative Judaism. These unpopular ideas were toned down by his aides, according to Avrum Erlich. "The issue was eventually quietened so as to protect Chabad fund-raising interests. Controversial issues such as territorial compromise in Israel that might have estranged benefactors from giving much-needed funds to Chabad, were often moderated, particularly by...Krinsky." Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits argued that Chabad moderated its presentation of anti-Zionist ideology and right-wing politics in England and downplayed its messianic fervor so as not to antagonize large parts of the English Jewish community. While Schneerson rarely chose to involve himself with questions of halakha (Jewish law), some notable exceptions were with regard to the use of electrical appliances on Shabbat, sailing on Israeli boats staffed by Jews, and halakhic dilemmas created when crossing the International Date Line.
In 1986, Schneerson again began to regularly greet people individually. This time, the personal meetings took the form of a weekly receiving line in "770". Almost every Sunday, thousands of people would line up to meet briefly with Schneerson and receive a one-dollar bill, which was to be donated to charity. People filing past Schneerson would often take this opportunity to ask him for advice or to request a blessing. This event is usually referred to as "Sunday Dollars." Beginning in 1989, the events were recorded on videotape. Posthumously, hundreds of thousands these encounters were posted online for public access.
Following the death of his wife in 1988, Schneerson withdrew from some public functions. For example, he stopped delivering addresses during weekdays, instead holding gatherings every Shabbat. He later edited these addresses, which have since been released in the Sefer HaSichos set.
According to Ehrlich, towards the end of his life, particularly after his heart attack in 1977, Schneerson's scholarship began to fade. One of Schneerson's editors, David Olidort, "told how most of Schneerson’s aides and editors adored him and saw him as virtually infallible, despite their numerous corrections of his failing scholarship." The frequency of his talks, however, certainly began to increase. After 1990, he spoke publicly, on average, at least twice a week—every Shabbos afternoon, as well as once during the week.
Some of Schneerson's followers believed he was the Jewish Messiah, the "Moshiach," and have persisted in that belief since his passing. The reverence with which he was treated by followers led many Jewish critics from both the Orthodox and Reform communities to allege that a cult of personality had grown up around him. Moshe D. Sherman, an associate professor at Touro College wrote that "as Schneerson's empire grew, a personality cult developed around him... portraits of Schneerson were placed in all Lubavitch homes, shops, and synagogues, and devoted followers routinely requested a blessing from him prior to their marriage, following an illness, or at other times of need."
In 1991, Schneerson was indirectly involved in the start of a riot in his neighborhood of Crown Heights. The riot began when a car accompanying his motorcade—returning from one of his regular cemetery visits to his father-in-law's grave—accidentally struck two seven-year-old African American children, killing one boy. In the rioting, Australian-born Jewish graduate student Yankel Rosenbaum was murdered, many Lubavitchers were badly beaten, and much property was destroyed; also, rioters hurled rocks and bottles at the Jews over police lines.
Despite his deteriorating health, Schneerson once again refused to leave "770". Several months into his illness, a small room with tinted glass windows and an attached balcony was built overlooking the main synagogue. This allowed Schneerson to pray with his followers, beginning with the Rosh Hashanah services, and to appear before them after services either by having the window opened or by being carried out onto the balcony.
His final illness led to a split between two groups of aides who differed in their recommendations as to how Schneerson should be treated, with the two camps led by Leib Groner and Yehuda Krinsky.
Aides argued over whether Schneerson had the same physical makeup as other humans, and if the illness should be allowed to run its course without interference. Krinsky argued that the latest and most suitable medical treatment available should be used in treating Schneerson, while Groner thought that "outside interference in the Rebbe’s medical situation might be just as dangerous as inaction. They saw his illness as an element in the messianic revelation; interference with Schneerson’s physical state might therefore affect the redemptive process, which should instead be permitted to run its natural course." in 1994. The Ohel had been built around the Previous Rebbe's grave in 1950.
On November 2, 1994 the bill passed both Houses by unanimous consent, honoring Schneerson for his "outstanding and enduring contributions toward world education, morality, and acts of charity". President Bill Clinton spoke these words at the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony:
The first will, signed and dated February 14, 1988, transferred power over all Schneerson’s property and personal affects to Agudas Chasidei Chabad (AGUCH) (directed by Krinsky), naming Krinsky as sole executor. While some believe that he died but will return as the messiah, others believe that he is merely "hidden." Other groups believe that he has God-like powers, while a few negate the idea that he is the messiah entirely. The prevalence of these views within the movement is disputed, though very few will openly say that Schneerson cannot be the Messiah. and has continued to develop since his death. The response of the wider Haredi and Modern Orthodox communities to this belief has been antagonistic; the issue remains controversial within the Jewish world.
However, a minority of his followers take this belief a step further, contending that he is able to answer their questions from beyond the grave, through a process of bibliomancy using his collected letters. This practice is known as "Igrot Kodesh", by which answers to questions are derived through consulting the published collections of Schneerson’s letters known as the Igrot Kodesh.
Esoterica continues to be released by individual families for family occasions such as weddings, known as Teshurot.
Category:1902 births Category:1994 deaths Category:20th-century rabbis Category:American Hasidic rabbis Category:Congressional Gold Medal recipients Category:Humboldt University of Berlin alumni Category:Jewish creationists Category:Jewish Messiah claimants Category:People from Mykolaiv Category:Philosophers of Judaism Category:Rabbis whose tombs have become pilgrimage sites Category:Rebbes of Lubavitch Category:Ukrainian Jews
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi and commonly called "Reb Zalman" (pr: rǎb) (born 28 August 1924 in Zhovkva, Poland [now Ukraine]) is considered one of the major founders of the Jewish Renewal movement.
He was initially sent out to speak on college campuses by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, but was expelled from Chabad for praising "the sacramental value of lysergic acid." With subsequent rise of the hippie movement in the 1960s, he moved away from the Chabad lifestyle.
In later years, Shachter-Shalomi held the World Wisdom Chair at The Naropa Institute; he is Professor Emeritus at both Naropa and Temple University. He has also served on the faculty of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Omega, the NICABM and many other major institutions. He is founder of the ALEPH Ordination Programs and ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. The seminary he founded has ordained over 80 rabbis and cantors.
Schachter-Shalomi was among the group of rabbis, from a wide range of Jewish denominations, who traveled together to India to meet with the Dalai Lama and discuss diaspora survival with him. (The Tibetans, being exiled from their homeland for three generations now, are facing some of the same assimilation challenges faced by the Jews. The Dalai Lama was interested in knowing how the Jews had survived with their culture intact.) That journey was chronicled in Rodger Kamenetz' book The Jew in the Lotus, now also a documentary film.
He is committed to the Gaia hypothesis, to feminism, and to full inclusion of LGBT people within Judaism. His innovations in Jewish worship include chanting prayers in English while retaining the traditional Hebrew cantillation, engaging worshippers in theological dialogue, leading meditation during services and the introduction of spontaneous movement and dance. Many of these techniques have also found their way into the more mainstream Jewish community.
Schachter-Shalomi encourages diversity among his students and urges them to bring their own talents, vision, views and social justice values to the study and practice of Judaism. Based on the Hasidic writings of Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbitz, he taught that anything, even what others consider sin and heresy could be God's will. His detractors argue that his views are too unconventional and that the theology he promulgates borders on pantheism. His supporters argue that his empowering approach is legitimate, and praise the range of Jewish ritual art, music and liturgical innovation that his work has seeded.
His major academic work, Spiritual Intimacy: A study of Counseling in Hasidim, was the result of his doctoral research into the system of spiritual direction cultivated within Chabad Hasidism. This led to his encouragement of students to study widely in the field of Spiritual Direction (one-on-one counseling) and to innovate contemporary systems to help renew a healthy spirituality in Jewish life. He also pioneered the practice of "spiritual eldering," working with fellow seniors on coming to spiritual terms with aging and becoming mentors for younger adults.
His publications include:
Category:1924 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century rabbis Category:American Jewish Renewal rabbis Category:Jewish American writers Category:Jewish feminists Category:American feminists Category:American people of Polish-Jewish descent Category:American people of Austrian-Jewish descent Category:Austrian Orthodox Jews Category:Jews from Galicia (Eastern Europe) Category:People from Zhovkva Category:People from Vienna
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
|residence = |nationality = American |ethnicity = |citizenship = |other_names = |known_for = Religious teacher, composer |education = |alma_mater = |employer = |occupation = |years_active = |home_town = |salary = |networth = |height = |weight = |title = |term = |predecessor = |successor = |party = |opponents = |boards = |religion = Judaism |spouse = Elaine Neila Glick |partner = |children = daughters Nedara, Neshama |parents = Hartwig Naftali Carlebach |relations = |callsign = |awards = |signature = |website = http://www.rebshlomo.org |footnotes = |box_width = }}
Shlomo Carlebach (), known as Reb Shlomo to his followers, (14 January 1925, Berlin — 20 October 1994, Canada) was a Jewish rabbi, religious teacher, composer, and singer who was known as "The Singing Rabbi" during his lifetime. Although his roots lay in traditional Orthodox yeshivot, he branched out to create his own style combining Hasidic Judaism, warmth and personal interaction, public concerts, and song-filled synagogue services. At various times he lived in Manhattan, San Francisco, Toronto and Moshav Mevo Modi'im, Israel.
Carlebach is considered by many to be the foremost Jewish religious songwriter of the 20th century. In a career that spanned 40 years, he recorded more than 25 albums that continue to have wide popularity and appeal. His influence also continues to this day in "Carlebach minyanim" and Jewish religious gatherings in many cities around the globe.
Carlebach was also considered a pioneer of the Baal teshuva movement ("returnees to Judaism"), encouraging disenchanted Jewish youth to re-embrace their heritage, using his special brand of music, songs, and inspiring story telling.
Carlebach emigrated to Lithuania in 1938 where he studied at a yeshiva. In 1938 his father became the rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jacob, a small synagogue on West 79th Street in New York City's Upper West Side.. His aptitude for Torah study was recognized by great Torah scholars and teachers, among them Rabbi Shlomo Heiman, and the Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Gevoha, Rabbi Aharon Kotler. He was considered one of the top students of Rabbi Kotler. Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner, who gave Carlebach Semikha, considered it a loss to the Torah world that he chose a career in musical Jewish outreach over one as a scholar and teacher . During his yeshiva studies he was often asked to lead the services as a hazzan.
Carlebach became a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, the sixth Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. From 1951-1954, he worked as one of the first emissaries (shlucChim) of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe who urged him to use his special skills and go to college campuses to attract Jews to Judaism. In 1969, his song Ve'haer Enenu, sung by the Shlosharim won first prize. The Hasidic festivals were a yearly event that helped to popularize his music. He also produced albums with a more liturgical sound. Some of the musicians he worked with during this period added a psychedelic tinge and a wider range of backup instrumentation. Carlebach now spent much of his time in Israel, living in Moshav Me'or Modi'im.
Carlebach's songs were characterized by relatively short melodies and traditional lyrics. His catchy new tunes were easy to learn and became part of the prayer services in many synagogues around the world
In the years since his death Carlebach's music has been embraced by many faiths as spiritual music. His music can be heard today in synagogues, Carlebach minyanim, churches, gospel choirs and temples worldwide. Many musical groups state that they draw inspiration from Carlebach and his music including Chaim-Dovid Saracik, Benyamin Steinberg, Moshav Band, Soulfarm, Reva L'Sheva, Naftali Abramson, Shlomo Katz, Eitan Katz, Kol Yaakov and others.
A musical written about his life by Daniel Wise was performed at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in 2008. A documentary film about directed by Boaz Shahak, "You Never Know," was released at the Jerusalem Film Festival that same year in 2008.
After his death, Lilith magazine, a Jewish feminist publication, catalogued allegations of sexual impropriety against him. Specific, named accusers are quoted in this article, as well as unnamed sources and Jewish communal leaders with knowledge of the allegations. The publication of these allegations has proven controversial, lodged, as they were, at a time Carlebach could not respond to his accusers.
Category:1925 births Category:1994 deaths Category:American Orthodox rabbis Category:American rabbis Category:Beth Medrash Govoha alumni Category:Carlebach family Category:Hasidic entertainers Category:Hasidic music Category:Hasidic singers Category:Hazzans Category:Jewish American musicians Category:Jewish composers and songwriters Category:Jewish entertainers Category:Jewish music Category:Judaism-related controversies Category:People who emigrated to escape Nazism Category:Beth Medrash Govoha alumni
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
| Coordinates | °′″N°′″N |
|---|---|
| Name | Curtis Sliwa |
| Caption | Sliwa in Bahrain, January 2007 |
| Birth date | March 26, 1954 |
| Birth place | Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Known for | founding the Guardian Angels and as a radio talk show host |
The Magnificent 13 grew and was renamed the Guardian Angels. The group's actions drew strong reactions, both positive and negative, from the police, public officials, residents and the media. Throughout the early 1980s the group's distinctive uniform, a military type red beret and white insignia t-shirt, became recognizable as the group grew and courted media attention.
In the early 1980s, he became active in Buffalo, New York and was often critical of local police policies and practices. Sliwa continues to act as the President of the organization and oversees its worldwide operations. His wife, Mary, is Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. He frequently visits chapters throughout the world and graduates new chapters. Today, Sliwa states that the Guardian Angels operate in nine countries and 82 cities around the world, with approximately 5,000 members.
Sliwa went on to become a populist, conservative radio talk show host.
Federal prosecutors eventually charged John A. Gotti, the son of Gambino crime family leader John Gotti, with the attempted murder, among a raft of other charges. Prosecutors claimed that Gotti was angered by remarks Sliwa had made about his father on his radio program. However, after three attempts to try him, the last on September 20, 2005, three separate juries were unable to agree to convict Gotti on all of the charges brought against him and the charges were dropped. Jurors later told reporters they did believe he had a role in Sliwa's shooting. Prosecutors declined to re-try Gotti and dismissed the charges against him. Sliwa has said he would seek damages in civil court. Michael Yannotti, a Gotti associate, was also charged with shooting Sliwa in the incident and was acquitted.
In 1994, the then city-owned and operated WNYC hired Sliwa, who had been released by WABC. Some, including Sliwa, have suggested that he was forced on the station by newly-elected mayor Rudy Giuliani, whom he had supported in the mayoral race. Sliwa stayed four months in the position before moving back to commercial radio.
He was back at WABC in 1996, and in 2000 he became the co-host, with attorney Ron Kuby, of the long-running Curtis and Kuby in the Morning. The show lasted eight years before Citadel Broadcasting replaced the team with Don Imus. The station retained Sliwa until November 2009, when his show was cancelled after a contract dispute. He has since moved to a morning show on WNYM radio.
Sliwa can earn $12,000 to $15,000 per event as a motivational speaker, and is represented by Premiere Speaking Bureau.
Sliwa is known for his connection with the New York City community and frequently participates in local events. He is an active proponent of the game of stickball and sometimes refers to himself as the "Stickball Commissioner" of New York City. He is also a former host and participant in competitive eating events. His achievements in those events include four reigns as the world pickle-eating champion.
Category:American activists Category:Community organizing Category:American competitive eaters Category:American Roman Catholics Category:American people of Polish descent Category:American talk radio hosts Category:American people of Italian descent Category:People from Canarsie, Brooklyn Category:American shooting survivors Category:1954 births Category:Living people
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
![Kock ([kɔt ͡sk], Kotzk) is a town in eastern Poland, about 45 km north of Lublin and 120 km south-east of Warsaw. It lies in Lublin Voivodeship, in Lubartów County. It is the capital of the Kock Commune.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110527020539im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/b8/81/940e8706d872c9017c0135bd28dc_thumb.jpg "Kock ([kɔt ͡sk], Kotzk) is a town in eastern Poland, about 45 km north of Lublin and 120 km south-east of Warsaw. It lies in Lublin Voivodeship, in Lubartów County. It is the capital of the Kock Commune.")
