Yisrael Meir Lau Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, 1993-2003 Date of Birth: 01.06.1937 Country: Israel

1. Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
2. Early Life and Holocaust Survival
3. Education and Career
4. Chief Rabbi of Israel
5. Public and Social Activism
6. Literary Works
7. Legacy

Rabbi Israel Meir Lau

Israel Meir Lau is a distinguished Israeli rabbi who served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1993 to 2003.

Early Life and Holocaust Survival

Born in Poland in 1937, Lau's childhood was marked by the horrors of the Holocaust. His family was imprisoned in the Łódź ghetto, and in 1942, his father and brothers were murdered in Treblinka. Lau and his mother were taken to Ravensbrück concentration camp, where his mother perished. He survived the Holocaust in Buchenwald concentration camp, where he was saved by a Russian teenager named Fyodor Mikhailichenko.

Education and Career

After the war, Lau immigrated to Israel and completed his religious education. He received rabbinic ordination in 1960 and served as a rabbi in several synagogues in Tel Aviv. In 1979, he became the Chief Rabbi of Netanya, and in 1986, he was appointed Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yafo.

Chief Rabbi of Israel

In 1993, Lau was elected as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel. In this role, he served as the supreme halakhic authority for the Ashkenazi Jewish community in the country. He also played a significant role in interfaith dialogue and diplomatic efforts to improve relations between Israel and other nations.

Public and Social Activism

Lau was actively involved in social welfare and outreach programs. He established youth centers and initiatives to combat drug abuse and crime. He also played a pivotal role in aiding Soviet Jewry and promoting religious understanding among Jewish communities of different denominations.

Literary Works

Lau has written several influential books, including "Practice of Judaism" (1978), a comprehensive guide to Jewish observance. He also published his memoirs, "Don't Lift Your Hand Against the Boy" (2005), recounting his experiences during the Holocaust.

Legacy

Rabbi Israel Meir Lau is highly esteemed for his spiritual leadership, scholarship, and dedication to interfaith dialogue and social justice. He received the Israel Prize in 2005 for his lifetime achievements in public and social service. His life and work continue to inspire and guide Jews and people of all faiths around the world.