First, I should tell you that I walk every Shabbos from the East Village of Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights just to learn from Rabbi Ari Raskin. His Torah insights, his ability to break open Hasidic texts are revelatory to all who come to hear him. It is his humanity, his care and gentle support offered to all that are daily on display; he believes and lives his faith. Stories that illustrate Rabbi Raskin’s extraordinary abilities are infinite — he helps parolees as they chart their new lives, finds funds for those in the throes of court fights, celebrates with a non-Jewish couple just returning from their wedding party, reaches out to the Reform and Conservative rabbis in the neighborhood, inviting them to dinners and celebrations… In short, he is an example of what it is to truly live a Torah-observant life with respect and care for all.

— Holly Wolf

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