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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

  1. ^ Rabbi Levi Shemtov is the newest member of the Vaad,(December 23, 2014),""DC Vaad has new member, and it's a Chabad rabbi"". washingtonjewishweek.com. 23 December 2014.
  2. ^ Kampeas Ron,(December 15, 2006) "Chabad's man in D.C", jta.org
  3. ^ Hatch David (September 27, 1995)"Rabbi Levi Shemtov: Prayer and politics, bipartisan style", The Hill, The Capital Newspaper
  4. ^ Besser, James "Politics Set aside", November 10, 1995, The Jewish Week
  5. ^ Swarns, Rachel (10 December 2009). "Washington Fuss Over White House Hanukkah Party". NYtimes.com. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  6. ^ Cohen, Rebecca (7 December 2012). "Rabbi lights the way for the National Menorah event at Hanukkah". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  7. ^ Kampeas Ron,(December 15, 2006) "Chabad's man in D.C", jta.org
  8. ^ Fishkoff Sue "The Rebbe's Army",2003 Random House, page 185
  9. ^ Kampaes, Ron (23 June 2010). "Chabad Schools, Gets Schooled in Diplomacy at D.C. Confab". jewishweek.com. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  10. ^ Goldberg, JJ (1 July 1999). "Missionary Passions". jewishjournal.com. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  11. ^ An Ecumenical Night of Lights, December 13, 1996, The Detroit Jewish News
  12. ^ Zacharia, Janine (22 October 2000). "Friday Features". public-action.com "The Jerusalem Post". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  13. ^ Engelson Esther, Spiritual Strength and Political Muscle, March 2, 2011, Hamodia, Inyan Magazine, pages 6-13
  14. ^ Samuel, Stacey (10 December 2012). "National Menorah lit in Washington". cnn.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  15. ^ "Video: Watch Lighting of National Menorah". cnn.com. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  16. ^ Bardugo, Israel (8 December 2007). "Lighting the Menorah at the White House". Ynetnews.com. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  17. ^ Niebuhr, Gustav (5 December 1998). "Religion Journal; Hasidic Jewish Group Puts Hanukkah on Web". NYtimes.com. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  18. ^ Gitell Seth (May 22, 1998)"Welcome to Washington" ,forward.com, Volume CII, No. 31,185
  19. ^ Rozen, Laura (8 December 2010). "Capital Hill Chanukah Celebration". politico.com. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  20. ^ James David (May 28, 1998)"Washington Watch" ,Texas Jewish Post, Page 12
  21. ^ Fishkoff Sue "The Rebbe's Army",2003 Random House, page 185
  22. ^ "Video: The Kosher Kitchen". whitehouse.gov. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  23. ^ Hoffman, Jan (13 December 2011). "Overnight Makeover for a Kosher First Kitchen". NYtimes.com. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
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