Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
Rabbi Israel Meir Lau is a prominent rabbi and Holocaust survivor who was born on June 1, 1937, in Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland. He survived the Buchenwald concentration camp as a child during World War II. After the war, he immigrated to Israel, where he pursued religious studies and was ordained as a rabbi. Rabbi Lau is known for his deep commitment to Jewish education and interfaith dialogue. He served as the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv from 1985 to 1993, and subsequently as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1993 to 2003. His tenure was marked by efforts to bridge gaps between secular and religious communities in Israel. In addition to his rabbinical duties, Rabbi Lau has been an influential speaker and author, advocating for peace and reconciliation. His autobiography, 'Out of the Depths', details his harrowing experiences during the Holocaust and his journey towards spiritual recovery and leadership. The book has been praised for its poignant narrative and inspirational message.