Abraham J. Twerski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abraham J. Twerski
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Twerski in 2011
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Abraham Joshua Heshel Twerski
October 6, 1930 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
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| Died | January 31, 2021 (aged 90) Hadassah Ein Karem Medical Center
Jerusalem, Israel |
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| Occupation | Psychiatrist |
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| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Aaron Twerski (brother) |
Abraham Joshua Heshel Twerski (born October 6, 1930 – died January 31, 2021) was an important rabbi and a psychiatrist. He was known for his many books. These books helped people improve their lives and understand themselves better. He was also part of a special Jewish family called the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Abraham Joshua Twerski was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. His parents were Devorah Leah and Rabbi Jacob Israel Twerski. His father was a rabbi at a synagogue in Milwaukee. Rabbi Twerski's family had a long history of important rabbis.
He went to public high school in Milwaukee and finished when he was 16. After that, he studied to become a rabbi at the Hebrew Theological College in Chicago. He became a rabbi in 1951. For a while, he worked with his father as an assistant rabbi.
In 1953, Twerski decided to study medicine. He went to Marquette University in Milwaukee. He finished medical school in 1960. He then trained to become a psychiatrist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He also worked at a state hospital in Pennsylvania. Later, he became the head of the psychiatry department at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Career
Rabbi Twerski had a busy career in both medicine and as a rabbi.
Medical Work
As a doctor, Rabbi Twerski helped many people. He started the Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh. This center helped people who were struggling with difficult challenges in their lives. He was also a clinical director at St. Francis Hospital. He taught psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine. He also founded the Shaar Hatikvah center in Israel. This center helped prisoners get their lives back on track.
Rabbinic Work
Rabbi Twerski wrote many Jewish books. He also gave many lectures about the Torah, which are Jewish teachings. He was a co-leader of Congregation Beth Jehudah with his father until 1959.
He even wrote a song called "Hoshea es Amecha" (which means "Save Your People"). This song became very popular in Jewish communities. A famous rabbi, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, even sang it.
Helping People with Jewish Wisdom
Much of Rabbi Twerski's writing focused on how people can improve themselves. He combined Jewish ethical teachings, called "mussar," with ideas from modern psychology. He also used ideas from the Twelve-Step program. This program helps people make positive changes in their lives. He showed how ancient Jewish wisdom can help people today.
Personal Life
Rabbi A.J. Twerski stopped working full-time in 1995. He moved to Monsey, New York, with his second wife, Gail. Later, they moved to Teaneck, New Jersey. Eventually, Rabbi Twerski and his wife moved to Israel. He encouraged other Jewish people to move there too.
He had several brothers who were also important. His brother Aaron Twerski is a well-known law professor. His brother Rabbi Michel Twerski is a Hasidic leader in Milwaukee.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Twerski passed away in Jerusalem on January 31, 2021. He was 90 years old. He was survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his will, he asked that his children sing his song, "Hoshia es Amecha," at his funeral.
Works
Rabbi Twerski wrote over 90 books. These books covered topics like Judaism and self-help. He even wrote some books that used Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strips. He used the comic strips to show how people interact and behave.
Here are some of his books:
- Alive! : A 10-step Guide to a Vibrant life (2015)
- Angels Don't Leave Footprints: Discovering What's Right With Yourself (2001)
- Dear Rabbi, Dear Doctor: The Renowned Rabbi-Psychiatrist Gives Straight Answers to Tough Questions (2005)
- Do Unto Others: How Good Deeds Can Change Your Life (1997)
- The Enemy Within: Confronting your Challenges in the 21st Century (2001)
- Forgiveness : Don't Let Resentment Keep You Captive (2012)
- Happiness and the Human Spirit: The Spirituality of Becoming the Best You Can Be (2007)
- I Am I: a Jewish Perspective From the Case Files of an Eminent Psychiatrist (1993)
- I'd Like to Call for Help, but I Don't Know the Number: The Search for Spirituality in Everyday Life (1991)
- I Didn't Ask to Be in This Family: Sibling Relationships and How They Shape Adult Behavior and Relationships (1996)
- It's Not As Tough As You Think: How to Smooth Out Life's Bumps (1999)
- Life's Too Short: Pull the Plug on Self-defeating Behavior and Turn On the Power of Self-esteem (1995)
- Like Yourself: And Others Will, Too (1978)
- Living Each Day (1988)
- Prayerfully Yours: Creating the Bond Between Man and His Maker (2001)
- The Rabbi & the Nuns : The Inside Story of a Rabbi's Therapeutic Work With the Sisters of St. Francis (2013)
- Self-improvement? I'm Jewish! : Overcoming Self-defeating Behavior (1995)
- Simchah: It's Not Just Happiness (2006)
- Smiling Each Day (1993)
- That's Not a Fault...It's a Character Trait (1999)
- The Thin You Within You: Winning the Weight Game with Self-Esteem (1997)
- Waking Up Just In Time : A Therapist Shows How to Use The Twelve-Steps Approach to Life's Ups And Downs (1990)
- When Do the Good Things Start? (1988)
- Wisdom Each Day (2000)
Images for kids
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Twerski in 2011
See Also
In Spanish: Abraham J. Twerski para niños
- Twerski
