Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (1924–2014) was a Hasidic rabbi and Jewish Renewal founder who joined traditional Jewish practice with contemporary spirituality and interfaith dialogue.

Connect

Menachem Mendel Schneerson: Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994) was the seventh leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. Schachter-Shalomi studied in Chabad circles before developing a more experimental spiritual path.
Hasidic Judaism: Hasidic Judaism is a Jewish religious movement emphasizing devotion, spiritual joy, and the guidance of a rebbe. Schachter-Shalomi’s religious formation and teaching drew deeply on Hasidic tradition.
Rabbis Without Borders: Rabbis Without Borders is a network supporting rabbis who engage diverse communities beyond denominational boundaries. Its expansive approach to Jewish life echoes his willingness to meet people across religious settings.
Chabad: Chabad is a Hasidic movement known for intellectual study, outreach, and devotion to its rebbes. Schachter-Shalomi trained within Chabad before his ideas moved beyond its institutional boundaries.
Shlomo Carlebach: Shlomo Carlebach (1925–1994) was a Hasidic rabbi and songwriter known for devotional melodies and outreach. Carlebach and Schachter-Shalomi were influential, unconventional rabbis whose work helped renew Jewish religious life.
Spiritual direction: Spiritual direction is a practice of reflective conversation about a person’s spiritual life and discernment. He adapted spiritual companionship into a Jewish setting through practices such as the mashpia relationship.
Jewish Renewal ordination: Jewish Renewal ordination trains and authorizes rabbis and spiritual leaders through ALEPH’s seminary program. The ordination program institutionalizes his vision of spiritually grounded, inclusive Jewish leadership.
Hasidic pilgrimage: Hasidic pilgrimage is travel to sites associated with revered rebbes, especially graves and centers of teaching. His early European experiences were shaped by Hasidic communities and their inherited spiritual geography.
Arthur Waskow: Arthur Waskow is an American Jewish writer and activist associated with Jewish Renewal and social justice. Waskow collaborated with Schachter-Shalomi on Renewal institutions and spiritually grounded activism.
Jewish meditation: Jewish meditation comprises contemplative practices rooted in Jewish prayer, scripture, and mystical traditions. He taught meditation as a way to deepen prayer and embodied Jewish practice.