Rabbi Marvin Hier

Rabbi Marvin Hier is a prominent American rabbi and the founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance. He has been a vocal advocate for human rights and has worked to promote interfaith dialogue with leaders such as Pope John Paul II and Dalai Lama. Rabbi Hier has also been involved in various initiatives to combat anti-Semitism and hate crimes, working with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center. He has been recognized for his efforts by Israeli leaders, including Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin.

● Early Life and Education

Rabbi Hier was born in 1939 in New York City to a family of Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Poland. He studied at the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School and later at the Yeshiva University, where he earned his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. During his studies, he was influenced by prominent rabbinic figures, including Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Rabbi Hier also developed an interest in Zionism and Israeli history, inspired by leaders like Theodor Herzl and David Ben-Gurion.

● Career

Rabbi Hier began his career as a rabbi in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he served as the spiritual leader of the Schara Tzedeck synagogue. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he became involved in various Jewish community organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the American Jewish Committee. Rabbi Hier has also been a vocal advocate for Soviet Jewry and has worked with organizations like the National Conference on Soviet Jewry and the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews to promote the rights of Soviet Jews.

● Simon Wiesenthal Center

In 1977, Rabbi Hier founded the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a human rights organization dedicated to promoting tolerance and combating hate crimes. The center is named after Simon Wiesenthal, a Nazi hunter and Holocaust survivor. Under Rabbi Hier's leadership, the center has become a prominent voice on issues related to anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia, working with organizations like the United Nations and the European Union. The center has also established the Museum of Tolerance, which features exhibits on the Holocaust and other genocides, including the Armenian Genocide and the Rwandan Genocide.

● Awards and Honors

Rabbi Hier has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush and the Medal of Valor from the Simon Wiesenthal Center. He has also been recognized by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. Rabbi Hier has received honorary degrees from institutions like Yeshiva University and the Hebrew Union College, and has been honored by organizations like the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.

● Controversies

Rabbi Hier has been involved in several controversies throughout his career, including criticism of his handling of donations to the Simon Wiesenthal Center and his involvement in politics. He has also faced criticism from some Jewish leaders for his stance on issues like Israeli settlements and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Additionally, Rabbi Hier has been criticized by some human rights organizations for his support of Israeli government policies, including the Gaza blockade and the West Bank barrier.

● Personal Life

Rabbi Hier is married to Marlene Hier and has two children, Rabbi Meyer Hier and Tzipporah Hier. He is a resident of Los Angeles and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including support for the Chabad movement and the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Hier has also been a vocal advocate for Jewish education and has worked with organizations like the Jewish Education Service of North America and the National Society for Hebrew Day Schools.