Shlomo Carlebach Jewish religious singer, composer, rabbi Date of Birth: 14.01.1925 Country: Germany

1. Roots and Family History
2. Early Education and Religious Background
3. Emigration to the United States
4. Global Outreach and Musical Career
5. Visits to the Soviet Union

Roots and Family History

Born in Berlin, Germany, Shlomo Carlebach descended from an esteemed rabbinical dynasty tracing back over 18 generations. His father, Rabbi Naftali Carlebach, was a renowned scholar, while his mother, Paula Kahn, hailed from a family of distinguished rabbis. Notably, his grandfather, Rabbi Solomon Carlebach, was a prominent figure in Lübeck, Germany, praised by renowned author Thomas Mann for his profound knowledge and spirituality.

Early Education and Religious Background

From a tender age, Shlomo immersed himself in religious studies. At four, he delved into the Torah with commentaries, and by five, he embarked on Talmudic exploration. His family's flight from Nazi Germany in 1933 led them to Telz, Lithuania, where he received pivotal instruction at the renowned Ponovezh Yeshiva.

Emigration to the United States

In 1939, the family relocated to Manhattan, New York, where Rabbi Carlebach established the Kehilat Yaakov congregation, later known as the Carlebach Shul. In 1949, Shlomo and his colleague Zalman Shechter-Shalomi received a transformative mandate from Rabbi Yosef-Yitzchak Schneerson, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, to spread Jewish teachings and celebration at universities.

Global Outreach and Musical Career

Throughout the 1950s and beyond, initially as an emissary of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Shlomo Carlebach embarked on global tours, captivating audiences with his concerts, lectures, and organization of Jewish holidays and milestones. His distinctive blend of Hasidic melodies and uplifting spiritual messages resonated deeply with listeners worldwide.

Visits to the Soviet Union

In 1970, Shlomo Carlebach made his first pilgrimage to Russia, organizing a Simchat Torah celebration in Moscow. During the era of perestroika, he returned for a remarkable tour in 1988-1989, giving 21 concerts in cities throughout the USSR and Poland, inspiring audiences with his infectious joy and spiritual upliftment.