Chief rabbi of Poland speaks in New Bedford

Shabbat across America will take on a global perspective in New Bedford when Rabbi Michael Schudrich, chief rabbi of Poland, speaks at Tifereth Israel Congregation March 13 and 14.

Chief rabbi of Poland since 2004, Schudrich served as rabbi of Warsaw and Lodz before that, beginning in 2000. During his time in Poland he has been a part of rebuilding Jewish life in that country which had a large, thriving community before the Holocaust.

During Friday night and Saturday morning services, the rabbi will offer his insights on two relevant topics. On Friday he will present “21st Century Anusim: Poles Discovering Their True Jewish Identity.” Saturday’s topic is “Halachic Challenges Facing the Chief Rabbi of Poland.”

Schudrich’s involvement in Eastern Europe dates back to his student years in the ’70s when he would lead Jewish groups to the area and meet with remnants of the Jewish communities. From 1983-89, he served as rabbi of Japan’s Jewish community, where he was involved with the recognition of Consul Chiune Sugihara, who wrote travel visas that facilitated the escape of more than 6,000 Jewish refugees from Lithuania to Japanese territory in 1940.

The rabbi, brother of the congregation’s cantor, Nathaniel Schudrich, was born in New York City and educated in Jewish Day Schools in the area. He has a  bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a master’s degree from Columbia University. He did his rabbinic studies at Yeshiva University.

The community is invited to attend Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m., March 13 and 9:30 a.m. March 14. At 6 p.m. March 13, there is a dinner (Members, $9; Nonmembers, $18). RSVP required. Contact Tifereth Israel office at 508-997-3171. The congregation is at 145 Brownell Ave., New Bedford, Mass.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.