Zalman Schachter-Shalomi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
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Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi in 2005
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| Born |
Meshullam Zalman Schachter
28 August 1924 |
| Died | 3 July 2014 (aged 89) |
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| Occupation | Rabbi, teacher |
Meshullam Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (born August 28, 1924 – died July 3, 2014) was a very important Jewish leader. People often called him "Reb Zalman." He helped start the Jewish Renewal movement. This movement brings new life and ideas into Jewish traditions. He also worked to create understanding between different religions.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Zalman Schachter was born in 1924 in Poland. His family later moved to Vienna, Austria. His father made sure Zalman learned about both Zionism (supporting a Jewish homeland) and Orthodox Judaism (a traditional form of Judaism).
In 1941, Zalman had to flee to the United States to escape the Nazis. In 1947, he became an Orthodox rabbi. He was part of the Chabad Hasidic community. Hasidic Judaism is a branch of Orthodox Judaism known for its spiritual and mystical teachings.
In 1948, Reb Zalman and another rabbi, Shlomo Carlebach, were sent to speak at colleges. Zalman also wrote one of the first English books about Jewish meditation in 1958. This book helped many Jewish and Christian people learn about meditation. In 1962, he decided to leave the Chabad movement. He wanted to explore new spiritual ideas.
Career and New Ideas
From 1956 to 1975, Reb Zalman lived in Winnipeg, Canada. He worked at the University of Manitoba. There, he taught many students about Jewish studies and spirituality. He helped them explore their own spiritual paths.
In 1968, he helped start a special Jewish group called Havurat Shalom in Massachusetts. A havurah is a small, cooperative Jewish community. Later, he started his own group called B'nai Or, which means "Sons of Light." This name came from ancient Jewish writings called the Dead Sea scrolls. This group later changed its name to "P'nai Or," meaning "Faces of Light," to include everyone. These groups were early steps toward the Jewish Renewal movement.
In the 1980s, Zalman added "Shalomi" to his name. "Shalomi" comes from the Hebrew word shalom, meaning peace. He did this to show his hope for peace in Israel and around the world.
Later in his life, Schachter-Shalomi taught at several universities. He also helped create ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. This organization brings together different Jewish groups. He founded a seminary that has trained many rabbis and cantors (people who lead prayers).
Reb Zalman also traveled to India to meet the Dalai Lama. They talked about how Jewish people and Tibetan Buddhists have kept their cultures alive. Both groups have faced challenges living away from their homelands. This trip was written about in the book The Jew in the Lotus.
Key Ideas and Changes
Reb Zalman's work focused on several important ideas:
- New ways of thinking about Judaism: He believed Judaism needed to change and grow.
- Modern Jewish law: He explored new ways to understand halakha (Jewish law). This included ideas like "eco-kashrut," which connects Jewish dietary laws with caring for the environment.
- Talking with other religions: He thought it was very important for different religions to talk and learn from each other. He called this "deep ecumenism."
- Four Worlds Judaism: He taught about connecting the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual parts of life.
He also strongly supported the idea of Gaia hypothesis (that Earth is a living system). He believed in feminism and welcoming LGBT people fully into Judaism. In Jewish worship, he encouraged chanting prayers in English. He also led meditations and encouraged movement and dance during services. Many of his ideas are now used in more mainstream Jewish communities.
Reb Zalman wanted his students to use their own talents and ideas in their Jewish practice. He taught that even things some might see as wrong could be part of God's plan. He also helped people learn about "spiritual eldering." This means older people can become mentors and share their wisdom.
Honors and Recognition
In 1997, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi was honored for his work in "Spiritual Renewal."
In 2012, his book Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer won a National Jewish Book Award.
He was also recognized as a shaikh (a spiritual leader) in a Sufi Order. Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam.
In 2012, the Starr King School for the Ministry gave him an honorary doctorate. He also gave a series of talks there about the "Emerging Cosmology."
Works
Reb Zalman wrote many articles and books. He also made audio and video recordings. He often wrote in a free-flowing style, like a conversation. He used ideas from psychology and computer terms to explain things. This made his writings interesting to many people.
Some of his books include:
- Fragments of a Future Scroll: Ḥassidism for the Aquarian Age (1975)
- The First Step: A Guide for the New Jewish Spirit (1983)
- From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older (2008)
- Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer (2012)
Death
Zalman Schachter-Shalomi passed away in 2014 when he was 89 years old.
Images for kids
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Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi in 2005
