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Draft:Shammai Zahn

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  • Comment: Likely copy pasted from somewhere, although I can't find the full source online. Please re-write in your own words using WP:SIRS without a promotional tone Star Mississippi 15:16, 10 March 2024 (UTC)


Rabbi Shammai Zahn (6 July 1920 – 4 March 2001)[1] was a Polish-born Rabbi known for his contributions to Jewish education and leadership, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Early Life and Escape from Germany

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Born in Nuremberg, Germany[1], Zahn held Polish citizenship. He began his education at the Wurzburg teachers' seminary[2] but fled to Britain in 1939, escaping the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany.

Education and Community Leadership

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In 1944, Zahn joined the newly established Kollel in Gateshead as its sole unmarried student. The following year, he married Lotte Bergman, also a refugee. Zahn played a crucial role in the founding of the Sunderland Yeshiva in 1946 and served as its Rosh Yeshiva from approximately 1949 until his passing in 2001.

Global Impact

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Zahn made annual trips to Morocco from 1950 to 1967 to recruit students, impacting the education of future chief rabbis of Argentina and Venezuela, as well as dayanim and communal rabbis around the world.

Community Service

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In 1966, Rabbi Zahn took on the responsibilities of Rosh Yeshiva at the Sunderland Yeshiva and effectively became the Rabbi of the Sunderland Beth Hamedrash[3]. In 1981, he became the first and only communal Rabbi of Sunderland, holding the position until his passing.

Scholarly Contributions

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Beyond his leadership roles, Zahn authored two significant works on Talmudic literature, contributing to Jewish scholarship and education.

Later Years and Legacy

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Zahn retired to Gateshead in 1999, where he continued to be an active member of the Jewish community until his passing on 4 March 2001.

A memorial brochure was published by the Sunderland Yeshiva, now based in Gateshead, in honor of Rabbi Shammai Zahn after his passing.[4][5]

[6][7][8][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rav Shammai Zahn". geni_family_tree. 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  2. ^ "The Jewish community of Würzburg during the November Pogrom, 1938". www.yadvashem.org. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  3. ^ "The Sunderland Beth Hamedresh 1889 - 1999". www.abramis.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  4. ^ Rabbi Shammai Zahn memorial brochure : לכבוד היאהרצייט הראשון : ט' אדר תשס"ב (in English and Hebrew). Gateshead: Sunderland Yeshiva. 2002.
  5. ^ "Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight - NEWS". chareidi.org. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  6. ^ "Out from the Cold". Mishpacha.
  7. ^ "Rabbinical Profiles". JCR-UK.
  8. ^ "HaRav Shammai Zahn, zt"l, Sar Vegodol Nofal beYisroel". Dei'ah Vedibbur.
  9. ^ bataween (2021-06-23). "The Moroccan students who came into the cold - Point of No Return". www.jewishrefugees.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-18.