Levi Shemtov
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Rabbi Levi Shemtov is the Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) and serves on the board of the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington, Vaad Harabonim.[1][2][3][4] He serves the Jewish community of Washington, D.C., and the daily governmental and diplomatic needs of the international Chabad-Lubavitch movement, the world's largest and fastest growing Jewish network of educational and social service institutions, with over 3,500 centers in 49 states and over 80 countries.[5][6]
He maintains close relationships with numerous members of the United States Congress, senior Administration officials and leaders in the international community, including a number of heads of state and government.[7][8] Rabbi Shemtov chairs the organizing committee of the International Chabad-Lubavitch Conference - Living Legacy, which facilitates high-level interaction between rabbis and communal leadership from around the globe and prominent US and international figures in the arenas of government, diplomacy, academia and the arts.[9]
Shemtov is the founder and spiritual leader of TheSHUL of the Nation’s Capital. TheSHUL offers a unique place for Jewish life, regardless of formal affiliation, children's programs, Torah study programs and celebrations of Shabbat and Jewish holidays. He has also been dubbed numerous times as "the rabbi of Capitol Hill", "a Washington institution", "one of the most unlikely players in the nation's capital" "a fixture on the diplomatic circuit" and "one of the most savvy politicos in town".[10][11][12][13]
Programs he organizes include several signature events such as the annual lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah drawing thousands to The Ellipse (across from the White House) every year, and seen by millions more via various media and the internet.[14] In 2012, for example, the total TV viewership - in the US alone - was close to 50 million.[15][16] Shemtov appreciates technology, being one of the first to bring the Chanukah celebration on-line.[17]
In addition, he founded and directs the Capitol Jewish Forum, which is the largest (apolitical) Jewish group on Capitol Hill, designed to "create and enhance a sense of identity and community among Jewish Congressional staffers and members of Congress" and which enjoys strong support of the Leadership and members of both parties in the US Senate and House of Representatives.[18][19][20] Rabbi Shemtov is often at the White House, Pentagon, United States Department of State and other venues in official Washington, seen by many as an effective, bipartisan unifier and premier Jewish resource.[21] He has overseen the koshering of the White House for the celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month and Chanukah in the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.[22][23]
He resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Nechama (Feldman), and their seven children.
References
- ↑ Rabbi Levi Shemtov is the newest member of the Vaad,(December 23, 2014),Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Kampeas Ron,(December 15, 2006) "Chabad's man in D.C", jta.org
- ↑ Hatch David (September 27, 1995)"Rabbi Levi Shemtov: Prayer and politics, bipartisan style", The Hill, The Capital Newspaper
- ↑ Besser, James "Politics Set aside", November 10, 1995, The Jewish Week
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Kampeas Ron,(December 15, 2006) "Chabad's man in D.C", jta.org
- ↑ Fishkoff Sue "The Rebbe's Army",2003 Random House, page 185
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ An Ecumenical Night of Lights, December 13, 1996, The Detroit Jewish News
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Engelson Esther, Spiritual Strength and Political Muscle, March 2, 2011, Hamodia, Inyan Magazine, pages 6-13
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Gitell Seth (May 22, 1998)"Welcome to Washington" ,forward.com, Volume CII, No. 31,185
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ James David (May 28, 1998)"Washington Watch" ,Texas Jewish Post, Page 12
- ↑ Fishkoff Sue "The Rebbe's Army",2003 Random House, page 185
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
