No. 28: Rabbis Sholom Duchman, Dov Landau, Ephraim Mirvis, Rick Jacobs, and Mendy Kotlarsky

This article highlights five influential rabbis and their significant contributions. Rabbi Sholom Duchman, entrusted by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, transformed Colel Chabad into Israel's oldest and largest continuously operating charitable institution, providing approximately $200 million annually in aid and operating a vast social-welfare network. Rabbi Dov Landau, head of the Slabodka Yeshiva and the Council of Torah Sages for Degel Hatorah, significantly influenced Israeli politics by withdrawing his party from the government over the issue of drafting yeshiva students, leading to the dissolution of the Knesset. UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis emerged as a prominent leader, criticizing the Labour government's recognition of a Palestinian state as a “profound betrayal” and offering comfort and moral clarity during crises like the Manchester synagogue attack and the Bondi Beach shooting. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, leads the largest Jewish denomination in North America, advocating for Israel while defending Palestinian rights, combating antisemitism, and calling for a "Reform renaissance." Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of Merkos 302, drives a "Judaism on the offense" strategy for Chabad-Lubavitch, expanding its global network of emissaries, funding new initiatives, and developing digital tools for Jewish education.