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Warren Kozak

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The Rabbi of 84th Street: The Extraordinary Life of Haskel Besser Kindle Edition

by Warren Kozak (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 32 ratings

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Always wearing an easy smile, Hasidic rabbi Haskel Besser spreads joy wherever he goes, enriching the lives of his many friends and congregants with his profound understanding of both Orthodox Judaism and humannature.

With warmth and admiration, journalist Warren Kozak writes about the rabbi's extraordinary life—from his family's escape to Palestine in the late 1930s to his witnessing of Israel's rebirth in 1948, to his move to New York City, where he lives today.

A rare window into the normally closed world of Hasidic Jews, The Rabbi of 84th Street is also the story of Judaism in the twentieth century; of the importance of centuries-old traditions; and of the triumph of faith, kindness, and spirit.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although Besser is the rabbi of an unobtrusive shtibel (small synagogue) on Manhattan's Upper West Side, it may be more accurate to define him as a hero who has admirers and devotees all over the world. In this down-to-earth and endearing biography, we first meet Besser, the son of a successful Hasidic businessman in Katowice, Poland, in his deeply religious yet modern European home that was a center of activity and a magnet for notables and guests. When he was 16, however, the boisterous life he had known soured as the Nazis came to power and he and his family fled to Palestine to escape the escalating anti-Semitism. Childhood influences, especially his father's close relationship with the Radomsker rebbe, a Hasidic spiritual leader, and his mother's affinity for theater stayed with him and inspired a lifelong love for Hasidism and Torah as well as for classical music and culture. (This has proved a source of solace to him and amazement to others; he can identify any classical piece on the radio in seconds.) But it is not just the rabbi's vast spiritual and secular knowledge that has won him the respect of presidents, business leaders and even assimilated Jewish children; it is a tangible loyalty and commitment to his fellow human beings. At 81, his energy has not waned; he still gives a daily Talmud class at 6:30 a.m. and embarks on international humanitarian trips. Kozak's inspiring and poignant biography of this legendary man is a wonderful concoction of fascinating details and enlightening stories.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Besser, a Hasidic rabbi born in Poland, escaped his homeland on the day that World War II began, fleeing to Palestine. After the war, Besser and his family moved to the U.S., where Kozak befriended him in 1988. Kozak chronicles his early years in Europe (Besser's father owned real estate in Berlin) during the rise of Hitler and spread of anti-Semitism. He then focuses on Besser's life in New York, where he opened a commercial real-estate business and became a Talmudic scholar and spiritual leader. In describing the rabbi, Kozak shares the information that his library contains more than 1,000 books. "Unlike some people who have large personal libraries, the rabbi has read all of his books not once but sometimes twice or more." Readers of all faiths will absorb. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000W94EGU
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2009
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1016 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 234 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #816,026 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #55 in Jewish Hasidism (Kindle Store)
- #231 in Religious Studies - Sociology
- #299 in Jewish History of Religion

Customer Reviews:
4.2 32 ratings

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Just One Man's Opinion

Very interesting story.

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022

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If you like good writing, an interesting personality, and some really amazing stories, this is the book for you. The rabbi who is the subject of this book book was a wonderful and unique person. You will be better for having read about him.

Helpful

Grey Wolffe

OY! It ain't easy being Hasid....but well worth the time

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2007

Warren Kozak has written the semi-biography of a man who is the proof that to every exception there is a cliche. Instead of the stern, austere, cold and inscrutable hasidic rabbis, Rabbi Besser comes off as a warm caring and very worldly (and involved) modern man. He is self-educated in many things and unlike most people, has an open ear for all opinions (even those he disagrees with).

He is the quintesential MENSCH in that he both knowledgeable and humble about who he is and what he knows. He doesn't try to run over you with his knowledge but lets it creep up on you. Kozak makes a major point when he talks about the Rabbi's ability to LISTEN, which is so under hyped in the 21st century where the attitude is: I am an expert in " " therefore you should listen to my opinion or your an idiot.

For those who (like me) grew up with European Grandparents (mine were Viennese Jews), there is an understated remembrance of people who were thoughtful about what they said and were willing to listen to the truth behind a arguement before making up their minds. There was also a stoicism that things are the way they are and you just have to learn to live with them, things could always be worse. Rabbi Besser has made a difference in many lives because he set out to live his own as a testament to all those who came before him (and perished in spasm of hatred that is still unintelligible to most of us). G-d bless him and grant him another hundred years.

7 people found this helpful

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Sarah

Wonderful look into Hasidic culture

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2022

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I’ve lived for years near a Hasidic community in LA but knew so little about their culture. This book was a wonderful introduction.

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Humphrey

Extraordinary life; good book.

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2017

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I'm on something of a Rabbi kick these past few months. Happened upon this after reading "The New Rabbi" about an extremely prominent, upscale suburban Synagogue in Pennsylvania and it's search for a replacement Rabbi. Decided that I'd read this by way of counterpoint, although it was clearly going to be a completely different book. The only commonality is that both were written by journalists.

The book is the story of Haskel Besser who is an extraordinary figure. He's lead a remarkable life and witnessed a lot of changes. I thoroughly enjoying reading about him.

The main trouble with the work is that it was, well, too straight forward. The life was interesting, but the book about it less so. It's never boring. There's a more than a bit of drama from Besser's life. The writer is correct not to milk it. Somehow, though, there's no tension and the drama recedes. Perhaps some compare and contrast might have helped. You don't get a full appreciation of this individual who clearly touched many lives.

All that being said, it's still worthwhile.

One person found this helpful

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Y. Rosenblatt

Read this book!

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2015

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A wonderful Rabbi's life captured by an outstanding author.
Rabbi Besser straddled the time of prewar Europe & postwar New York.
His experience & insights make this book a must read for anyone interested in this time period.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Very interesting story of a very interesting rabbi who walked ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2017

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Very interesting story of a very interesting rabbi who walked in different worlds but never forgot who he was, or let the power go to his head.

One person found this helpful

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KEVIN S. ALTER

Lead by Example

Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2011

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I loved reading this book. The Rabbi led an inspiring and meaningful life. We need more leaders like him, humble,kind, and one with values.

I only wish I had known him, a remarkable man and a remarkable life.

5 people found this helpful

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David

Incredible, and fascinating.

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2019

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Incredible!

One person found this helpful

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