This is the Forward’s coverage of rabbis, the spiritual leaders of Jewish congregations.
Rabbis
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Fast Forward Russia Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar Brings Riot Police Escort to Crimea Synagogue
Russia’s chief rabbi Berel Lazar brought armed policemen, including riot police, to tour Crimea’s Reform synagogue in Simferopol, video footage shows. The chairman of the Ner Tamid Reform synagogue, Anatoliy Gendin, sharply criticized Lazar’s July 10 visit to his synagogue, suggesting that Lazar bullied his way inside the shul. Gendin, who was not in the…
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Fast Forward Morocco Rabbi Beaten in Gaza Payback
The rabbi of the Jewish community in Casablanca, Morocco, was beaten allegedly because of Israel’s Gaza operation. Rabbi Moshe Ohayon was attacked Friday night as he walked to synagogue for Sabbath services, according to local and Israeli reports. Ohayon suffered a broken nose and broken ribs, and was beaten on the head in the attack,…
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News Why British Orthodox Rabbi Fasts for Ramadan
(JTA) — A few hours into the 10th day of Ramadan, Rabbi Natan Levy was swapping fasting tips with a Muslim fellow passenger aboard the London Northern train line. Specifically, they were debating the merits of having a very large meal before sunrise — a technique adopted by many observant Muslims who are trying to cope…
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Fast Forward Baruch Lebovits, Brooklyn Rabbi Charged With Sex Abuse, Gets Plea Deal
Baruch Lebovits, a Brooklyn rabbi convicted of sex abuse in 2010 only to have the conviction overturned on appeal, was sentenced to two years in prison as part of a plea deal. The deal was approved Wednesday. Lebovits is expected to serve less than a year of additional jail time because he will receive credit…
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Fast Forward Rabbis Lauded by Vladimir Putin for Fight Against Neo-Nazis
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked senior rabbis from Israel and Europe for what he called their help in Russia’s fight against the revival of Nazism. Putin made the statement on Wednesday during a meeting in the Russian capital with over one dozen prominent rabbis, including Berel Lazar, a chief rabbi of Moscow, and Yitzchak Yosef…
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Fast Forward Lost Tefillin Owner Identified as Israeli Man Whose Bags Were Misplaced
The owner of the last of seven pairs of tefillin discovered by a Florida rabbi at a store that sells the contents of unclaimed airline baggage has been located. The religious item belongs to an Israeli man who was traveling last December between Mexico and Denver when his suitcase went missing, the news website Vos…
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The Schmooze Why Is Tom Hanks Singing ‘This is How We Do It’ Dressed Like a Rabbi?
Presented for your humble viewing: A video of Tom Hanks, dressed as a rabbi, singing “This Is How We Do It,” courtesy of Justin Bieber. Caption: “Haha Tom Hanks singing “This Is How we do it” dressed like a Rabbi lol #thatdancetho” SO MANY questions: Why is Tom Hanks dressed like a rabbi? Why is…
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Fast Forward Rabbi Finds 7 Tefillin Sets in Lost-Luggage Store
A Florida rabbi discovered seven pairs of tefillin at a store that sells the contents of unclaimed airline baggage. Rabbi Uri Pilichowski was on vacation with his family when he visited the store in Scottsboro, Ala., looking for cheap cell phones, the New York Daily News reported. The rabbi bought the religious items, worth hundreds…
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Fast Forward US soldier charged for threatening to ‘kill every single Jew’ inside of a synagogue
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Fast Forward J.D. Salinger asked publishers to remove references to his Jewish heritage, newly surfaced letters reveal
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Books How Saul Rubinek’s best lie helped him get to the truth about his family’s Holocaust history