This powerful memoir chronicles the life of one of America's most celebrated rabbis-Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, or "Reb Zalman" as he is fondly known to friends and followers. The book traces his life from a youth in the shadow of the Nazis through the tumultuous 1960s in America to his position as a renowned religious leader today.

Often controversial for his attraction to cultural mavericks and religious rebels, Reb Zalman's colorful lifetime includes a striking cast of characters across faith traditions, including Timothy Leary, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Thomas Merton, the Dalai Lama, and more. The book traces Reb Zalman's work creating the vibrant Jewish Renewal movement that emphasizes spiritual experience and continues to touch Jews around the world today. Reb Zalman often illustrates his talks with anecdotes from his life, and My Life in Jewish Renewal brings together the life story of this beloved leader for the first time.

Reb Zalman often illustrates his talks with stories from his life, and My Life in Jewish Renewal brings together the complete life story of this beloved leader for the first time.

Auteur
Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, or Reb Zalman as he was fondly known, was the founder and leader of the Jewish Renewal movement and the author of numerous books, including Jewish with Feeling and From Age-ing to Sage-ing.

Contenu

Preface AcknowledgmentsA Visionary Introduction to My Life QuestPart I: My Boyhood &Youth Before the HolocaustChapter 1. Origins Chapter 2. A Viennese BoyhoodChapter 3. Austria Under Hitler Chapter 4. Diamond-Cutting & Hasidim in AntwerpChapter 5. French Internment CampsChapter 6. Revelations in MarseillesChapter 7. Freedom Voyage to AmericaChapter 8. Encountering the Sixth Lubavitcher RebbeChapter 9. The Making of a Chabad HasidPart II: Initiating Jewish Restoration in AmericaChapter 10. A Fledgling Rabbi: Outreach in New Haven Chapter 11. Raising the Klippot in Rochester, New YorkChapter 12. A Pulpit of My Own in Fall River, MassachussettsChapter 13. Caribbean Travels: Voodoo & Mitzvah MissionsChapter 14. Widening Horizons: From New Bedford to Boston University Part III: Planting Seeds of Jewish RenewalChapter 15. Jewish Innovation in ManitobaChapter 16. Adventures with Catholic Monasticism Chapter 17. My First Trip to the Holy Land Chapter 18. Qumran, USA: My Plan for Jewish Communality Chapter 19. Hasidic Counseling: New Explorations Chapter 20. Psychedelics with Timothy Leary Chapter 21. My Friend Thomas Merton and the Ecumenical Quest Chapter 22. Walks with Abraham MaslowChapter 23. Abraham Joshua Heschel: My Mentor & Friend Chapter 24. Leaving Chabad: The Fallout from My Washington, DC Lecture
Chapter 25. The San Francisco Counter-Culture and Neo-Hasidism
Chapter 26. Relocating to PhiladelphiaChapter 27. Epilogue: Whither Jewish Renewal?Appendix: Brief Reminiscences A. Gerald Heard, My "Irish Rebbe"
B. Rabbi Heschel Matt
C. Breakthroughs in Milwaukee
D. The Dalai Lama
E. My Unfulfilled Projects

Glossary
Related Books by the Authors
Index
About the Authors