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reverted - birth name is well-sourced, as is that his book was published by The Jewish Advocate, etc. pls see talk page also.
Undid revision 703335581 by 64.134.64.190 (talk) Please don't undo the whole reorganization which is clearer and makes more sense - just the specific name issue if that is the problem.
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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Ira A. Korff
| name = Yitzchok A. Korff (Ira A.)
| image = Yitzhak Aharon Korff 1.jpg
| image = Yitzhak Aharon Korff 1.jpg
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by the blind and visually impaired's speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by the blind and visually impaired's speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name = Ira A. Korff<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_14/b3675178.htm|title=The Talented Ms. Redstone|work=[[Businessweek.com]]|author=Richard Siklos|date=3 April 2000|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2009/11/trouble-in-the-house-of-redstone/|title=Trouble in the House of Redstone|work=[[Boston Magazine]]|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/executives/features/2009/01/07/Sumner-Redstone-and-Viacom-Losses.html?page=all|title=Sumner's Discontent|author=Lloyd Grove|date=7 January 2009|work=[[South Florida Business Journal|Upstart Business Journal]]|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref>
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people. Supply only the year unless the exact date is already widely published, as per WP:DOB. For people that have died, use {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}}. -->
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people. Supply only the year unless the exact date is already widely published, as per WP:DOB. For people that have died, use {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}}. -->
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
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| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| other_names = Yitzhak Aharon Korff<br>Yitzhak Korff<br>Y.A. Korff
| other_names = Yitzhak Aharon Korff<br>Yitzhak Korff<br>Y.A. Korff
| occupation = Grand Rabbi, chaplain, lawyer, diplomat, businessman and entrepreneur
| occupation = Attorney in [[Boston]]<br>Owner and publisher of ''[[The Jewish Advocate]]''<ref name="auto"/><br>Rabbi
| years_active =
| years_active =
| religion = [[Judaism]]
| religion = [[Judaism]]
| known_for = Former son-in-law of businessman [[Sumner Redstone]]
| spouse = [[Shari Redstone]] (divorced)
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| notable_works =
| notable_works =
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[[File:Grand Rabbi Yitzhak Aharon Korff in his study.jpg|thumb|Korff (center) in his study with cousins including Rabbi Yitzhak Twersky (left) and Grand Rabbi [[Shlomo Goldman]]]]
[[File:Grand Rabbi Yitzhak Aharon Korff in his study.jpg|thumb|Korff (center) in his study with cousins including Rabbi Yitzhak Twersky (left) and Grand Rabbi [[Shlomo Goldman]]]]


Grand Rabbi '''Yitzhak Aharon Korff''' (born '''Ira A. Korff''')<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-05-20/business/fi-60152_1_theater-chain|title=Former Redstone Son-in-Law Quits Theater Chain|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=20 May 1994|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto3"/> is an American attorney, publisher, and rabbi. He is the rabbi of [[The Zvhil - Mezbuz Beis Medrash, Congregation Bnai Jacob]] with locations in [[Boston]], [[Miami]], and [[Jerusalem]]. He is a ''[[dayan]]'' (judge of Jewish law) of the BaDaTz Boston ''[[Beth din]]'' (rabbinical court) and ''Vaad HaRabbonim'' (council of rabbis). Since 1975, he has been the Chaplain of the City of [[Boston]] (serving the Boston Police and Fire Departments, Mayor's Office, and other City departments and agencies).{{Cn|date=February 2016}} He is the owner and publisher of the Boston-based Jewish newspaper ''[[The Jewish Advocate]]''.<ref name="auto"/> He was previously married to American business executive [[Sumner Redstone]]'s daughter [[Shari Redstone]].<ref name="auto"/>
Grand Rabbi '''Yitzhak Aharon Korff''' is the [[Rebbe]] of [[Zhvil (Hasidic dynasty)|Zvhil]] [[Mezhbizh (Hasidic dynasty)|Mezhbizh]]. Since 1975 he has been the Chaplain of the City of [[Boston]] (serving the Boston Police and Fire Departments, Mayor's Office, and other City departments and agencies) and spiritual leader of Congregation Bnai Jacob, Zvhil–Mezhbizh Beis Medrash of Boston, Miami, Florida, and [[Jerusalem]], Israel. He is a ''[[dayan]]'' (judge of Jewish law) of the BaDaTz Boston ''[[Beth din]]'' (rabbinical court) and ''Vaad HaRabbonim'' (council of rabbis). He is also Consul General to the government of Austria and publisher of the Boston-based Jewish newspaper ''[[The Jewish Advocate]]''.


== Family ==
== Early life and education ==
Korff's father was Nathan Korff, who served as rabbi of Congregation B'nai Jacob in [[Milton, Massachusetts]].<ref name="WeddingAnnounce">{{cite news | url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=JPOST19800718-01.1.10 | title=The Social Calendar | work=The Jewish Post and Opinion | date=18 July 1980 | accessdate=3 February 2016 | author=Herschaft, Jean}}</ref> His uncle Rabbi Baruch Korff was well known as a spiritual advisor to [[Richard Nixon]].<ref name="NathanKorffObit">{{cite news | url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20100113/News/301139252 | title=Milton leader Rabbi Nathan Korff dies at 91 | work=WickedLocal | date=13 January 2010 | accessdate=3 February 2016 | author=Scheible, Sue}}</ref>
Rabbi Korff's father was Rabbi Nathan Korff, who served as rabbi of Congregation B'nai Jacob in [[Milton, Massachusetts]].<ref name="WeddingAnnounce">{{cite news | url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=JPOST19800718-01.1.10 | title=The Social Calendar | work=The Jewish Post and Opinion | date=18 July 1980 | accessdate=3 February 2016 | author=Herschaft, Jean}}</ref> His uncle Rabbi Baruch Korff was well known as a spiritual advisor to [[Richard Nixon]].<ref name="NathanKorffObit">{{cite news | url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20100113/News/301139252 | title=Milton leader Rabbi Nathan Korff dies at 91 | work=WickedLocal | date=13 Jan, 2010 | accessdate=3 February 2016 | author=Scheible, Sue}}</ref>


Korff is also a direct descendant of the [[Baal Shem Tov]], the 18th century founder of the [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] movement, through the Baal Shem Tov’s grandson [[Boruch of Medzhybizh|Rabbi Boruch]] of [[Medzhybizh]], founder of the [[Mezhbizh (Hasidic dynasty)|Mezhbizh Hasidic dynasty]]. Rabbi Korff also descended from numerous other Hasidic dynasties, including Zlotshev, [[Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)|Chernobyl]], Apt, Yampol and [[Karlin (Hasidic dynasty)|Karlin]], as well as [[Zhvil (Hasidic dynasty)|Zvhil]].
Rabbi Korff is also a direct descendant of the [[Baal Shem Tov]], the 18th century founder of the [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] movement, through the Baal Shem Tov’s grandson [[Boruch of Medzhybizh|Rabbi Boruch]] of [[Medzhybizh]], founder of the [[Mezhbizh (Hasidic dynasty)|Mezhbizh Hasidic dynasty]]. Rabbi Korff also descended from numerous other Hasidic dynasties, including Zlotshev, [[Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)|Chernobyl]], Apt, Yampol and [[Karlin (Hasidic dynasty)|Karlin]], as well as [[Zhvil (Hasidic dynasty)|Zvhil]].


He is a descendant of the [[Chabad]] chasidic dynasty through the [[Dovber Schneuri|Chabad Mitler Rebbe's]] daughter and son-in-law Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel of Cherkass, son of Grand Rabbi [[Mordechai Twerski of Chernobyl|Mordechai (Magid of Chernobyl)]].{{Cn}}
He is also a descendant of the [[Chabad]] chasidic dynasty through the [[Dovber Schneuri|Chabad Mitler Rebbe's]] daughter and son-in-law Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel of Cherkass, son of Grand Rabbi [[Mordechai Twerski of Chernobyl|Mordechai (Magid of Chernobyl)]].
His first wife, [[Shari Redstone]] whom he married in 1980 and later divorced, is the daughter of [[Sumner Redstone]], [[Chair (official)|Chairman of the Board]] and controlling shareholder of the [[Viacom]] and [[CBS Corporation]] media conglomerates.<ref name="WeddingAnnounce" />


The Rebbe's second wife, the [[Rebbetzin]] D. Korff, is a native of [[Jerusalem]] and a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov and the Hasidic dynasties of Zvhil, Zlotshev, and Tshernobl. She is the daughter of the late [[Shomer Emunim]] Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Avrohom Chayim Roth of Jerusalem and [[Bnei Brak]], who was the son of Reb Arele. Her mother, the late Shomrei Emunim Rebbetzin, Rabbi Korff's third cousin, was the daughter of the previous Zvhiler Rebbe of Jerusalem, Rabbi Mordechai.
Korff received three ordinations (Smicha, D.D.), educated at [[Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin]], the Rabbinical Seminary of Israel, and Yeshivas Beis Mordechai (Zvhil) of [[Jerusalem]], and was tutored privately by masters of [[Hasidism]] and [[Kabbalah]].{{Cn}}


In addition, Korff is a graduate of [[Columbia University]], [[Harvard University]], Hebrew College, Brooklyn Law School, and [[Boston University]] School of Law, and holds the BA., B.J.E., J.D., and LL.M. degrees. In conjunction with The [[Fletcher School]] of Law and Diplomacy and the Harvard Law School International Law Center he received an M.A. in international relations, an M.A.L.D. in international law and diplomacy, and a Ph.D. in international law. He was also a resident graduate at Harvard Divinity School.{{Cn}}


==Personal life==
==Education==
He received three ordinations (Smicha, D.D.), educated at [[Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin]], the Rabbinical Seminary of Israel, and Yeshivas Beis Mordechai (Zvhil) of [[Jerusalem]], and was tutored privately by masters of [[Hasidism]] and [[Kabbalah]].
Korff's first wife, [[Shari Redstone]] whom he married in 1980 and later divorced, is the daughter of [[Sumner Redstone]], [[Chair (official)|Chairman of the Board]] and controlling shareholder of the [[Viacom]] and [[CBS Corporation]] media conglomerates.<ref name="WeddingAnnounce" /> Korff has three children with Shari Redstone: Kimberlee, Brandon and Tyler Korff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/10/sumner-redstone-ex-girlfriend-manuela-herzer-sydney-holland|title=Sumner Redstone Shows Yet Another Ex-Girlfriend to the Door|author=[[William D. Cohan]]|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=22 October 2015|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref>

In addition, The Rebbe is a graduate of [[Columbia University]], [[Harvard University]], Hebrew College, Brooklyn Law School, and [[Boston University]] School of Law, and holds the BA., B.J.E., J.D., and LL.M. degrees. In conjunction with The [[Fletcher School]] of Law and Diplomacy and the Harvard Law School International Law Center he received an M.A. in international relations, an M.A.L.D. in international law and diplomacy, and a Ph.D. in international law. He was also a resident graduate at Harvard Divinity School.


Korff's second wife{{who?}} is a native of [[Jerusalem]] and a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov and the Hasidic dynasties of Zvhil, Zlotshev, and Tshernobl.{{Cn}} She is the daughter of the late [[Shomer Emunim]] Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Avrohom Chayim Roth of Jerusalem and [[Bnei Brak]], who was the son of Reb Arele.{{Cn}} Her mother, the late Shomrei Emunim Rebbetzin, Korff's third cousin, was the daughter of the previous Zvhiler Rebbe of Jerusalem, Rabbi Mordechai.{{Cn}}


==Career==
==Career==
Grand Rabbi Korff simultaneously combined careers as a rabbi, chaplain, lawyer, diplomat, businessman and entrepreneur. His grandfather Jacob I. Korff was a Hasidic Rebbe,<ref name="DamagedTorahs" /> and he eventually assumed the position of successor to his grandfather.
===Businessman===
After marrying Shari Redstone, Korff was brought into the family's entertainment business, which he expanded internationally. He served as president of [[National Amusements]], the Redstone family business through which they exercise various degrees of control in Viacom and CBS, from 1987<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB111136989554384823|title=Shari Redstone Waits in Wings To Head Viacom|author=Carol Hymowitz and Joe Flint|date=22 March 2005|work=[[WSJ]]|accessdate=4 February 2016|quote=Her husband, Ira Korff, became president of the Redstone family's theater-chain company, called National Amusements, in 1987. They later divorced and he left the company, subsequently focusing on his work as a rabbi.}}</ref> until 1994, when the two divorced.<ref name="TroubleRedstone">{{cite news | url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2009/11/trouble-in-the-house-of-redstone/ | title=Trouble in the House of Redstone | work=Boston Magazine | date=December 2009 | accessdate=22 May 2015 | author=O'Brien, Luke}}</ref> Upon leaving the company, he received a substantial severance package.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2006/biz/markets-festivals/ruling-favors-sumner-s-son-1200342323/|title=Ruling favors Sumner’s son|author=Jill Goldsmith|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=6 August 2006|accessdate=4 February 2016|quote=...and a rich severance package to Shari’s former husband, Ira Korff, after they split and he left the company.}}</ref>


In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rabbi Korff served as rabbi of several Orthodox congregations in Boston and Providence, and at [[Temple Aliyah]], now a [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]] synagogue<ref name="TempleAliyah">{{cite web | url=https://templealiyah.com/About_Us/Mission_History | title=Our Mission and History | accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref> in [[Needham, Massachusetts|Needham]].<ref name="DamagedTorahs">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19820312&id=UKQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s_wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5119,2329438&hl=en | title=Damaged Torahs Buried | work=The Telegraph | date=12 Mar 1982 | agency=AP | accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref>
He has served as an advisor and consultant in both public and private international relations, assisting numerous governments (including the United States, the U.K., Austria, Thailand, China, Jordan and others) in matters of diplomacy and international relations, and he has advised numerous national and multi-national business ventures in the United States and abroad.{{Cn}}


He organized and staffed one of the first [[white-collar crime]] units in the United States as a special consultant to the [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts|Norfolk County]] (Mass.) District Attorney's Office, and he served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for Massachusetts.{{Cn}} On a political level he has advised candidates for political office at the City Council, Mayoral, Mass. Senate, Governor’s Office, and U.S. Senate and Congressional level, and assisted officials in substantive matters following their election to office.{{cn|date=February 2016}}
He organized and staffed one of the first White Collar Crime units in the United States as a special consultant to the Norfolk County (Mass.) District Attorney's Office, and he served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for Massachusetts. On a political level he has advised candidates for political office at the City Council, Mayoral, Mass. Senate, Governor’s Office, and U.S. Senate and Congressional level, and assisted officials in substantive matters following their election to office.


After marrying Shari Redstone, Korff was brought into the family's entertainment business, which he expanded internationally. He served as president of [[National Amusements]], the Redstone family business through which they exercise various degrees of control in Viacom and CBS, from 1987 until 1994, two years after the divorce.<ref name="TroubleRedstone">{{cite news | url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2009/11/trouble-in-the-house-of-redstone/ | title=Trouble in the House of Redstone | work=Boston Magazine | date=December 2009 | accessdate=22 May 2015 | author=O'Brien, Luke}}</ref>.
===Lawyer===
He was admitted to the [[Massachusetts Bar Association|Massachusetts Bar]] on December 13, 1974.<ref>[https://massbbo.org/bbolookup.php Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers of the Supreme Judicial Court website. Attorney Status Report. Ira A. Korff. Retrieved February 4, 2016.]</ref>


He has served as an advisor and consultant in both public and private international relations, assisting numerous governments (including the United States, the U.K., Austria, Thailand, China, Jordan and others) in matters of diplomacy and international relations, and he has advised numerous national and multi-national business ventures in the United States and abroad.
===Rabbi===
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Korff served as rabbi of several Orthodox congregations in Boston and Providence, and at [[Temple Aliyah]], now a [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]] synagogue<ref name="TempleAliyah">{{cite web | url=https://templealiyah.com/About_Us/Mission_History | title=Our Mission and History | accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref> in [[Needham, Massachusetts|Needham]].<ref name="DamagedTorahs">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19820312&id=UKQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s_wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5119,2329438&hl=en | title=Damaged Torahs Buried | work=The Telegraph | date=12 March 1982 | agency=AP | accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref> Korff simultaneously combined careers as a rabbi, chaplain, lawyer, diplomat, businessman and entrepreneur. His grandfather Jacob I. Korff was a Hasidic rabbi,<ref name="DamagedTorahs" /> and he eventually assumed the position of successor to his grandfather.


== Works ==
== Works ==


Korff is the author of ''Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok: Insights of a Contemporary Chassidic Master,'' published (2001) by ''the Jewish Advocate'' in the original Hebrew/Yiddish/Aramaic and in English translation, on [[Kabbalah]] and [[Halakha]], Jewish laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Meshivas-Nefesh-Yitzchok-Contemporary-Chassidic/dp/0964536722|title=Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok : Insights of a Contemporary Chassidic Master: Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok, Y. A. Korff: 9780964536722: Amazon.com: Books|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref>
Korff is the author of ''Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok: Insights of a Contemporary Chassidic Master,'' in the original Hebrew/Yiddish/Aramaic and in English translation, on [[Kabbalah]] and [[Halakha]], Jewish laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Meshivas-Nefesh-Yitzchok-Contemporary-Chassidic/dp/0964536722|title=Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok : Insights of a Contemporary Chassidic Master: Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok, Y. A. Korff: 9780964536722: Amazon.com: Books|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Korff, Yitzhak Aharon
| NAME = Korff, Yitzhak Aharon
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Ira Korff; Ira A. Korff
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Ira A. Korff
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American lawyer and rabbi
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Grand Rabbi, chaplain, lawyer, diplomat, businessman and entrepreneur
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Redstone family]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Boston, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Boston, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni|Harvard University alumni]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni|Harvard University alumni]]

Revision as of 22:19, 4 February 2016

Yitzchok A. Korff (Ira A.)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesYitzhak Aharon Korff
Yitzhak Korff
Y.A. Korff
Occupation(s)Grand Rabbi, chaplain, lawyer, diplomat, businessman and entrepreneur
Korff (center) in his study with cousins including Rabbi Yitzhak Twersky (left) and Grand Rabbi Shlomo Goldman

Grand Rabbi Yitzhak Aharon Korff is the Rebbe of ZvhilMezhbizh. Since 1975 he has been the Chaplain of the City of Boston (serving the Boston Police and Fire Departments, Mayor's Office, and other City departments and agencies) and spiritual leader of Congregation Bnai Jacob, Zvhil–Mezhbizh Beis Medrash of Boston, Miami, Florida, and Jerusalem, Israel. He is a dayan (judge of Jewish law) of the BaDaTz Boston Beth din (rabbinical court) and Vaad HaRabbonim (council of rabbis). He is also Consul General to the government of Austria and publisher of the Boston-based Jewish newspaper The Jewish Advocate.

Family

Rabbi Korff's father was Rabbi Nathan Korff, who served as rabbi of Congregation B'nai Jacob in Milton, Massachusetts.[1] His uncle Rabbi Baruch Korff was well known as a spiritual advisor to Richard Nixon.[2]

Rabbi Korff is also a direct descendant of the Baal Shem Tov, the 18th century founder of the Hasidic movement, through the Baal Shem Tov’s grandson Rabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh, founder of the Mezhbizh Hasidic dynasty. Rabbi Korff also descended from numerous other Hasidic dynasties, including Zlotshev, Chernobyl, Apt, Yampol and Karlin, as well as Zvhil.

He is also a descendant of the Chabad chasidic dynasty through the Chabad Mitler Rebbe's daughter and son-in-law Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel of Cherkass, son of Grand Rabbi Mordechai (Magid of Chernobyl).

His first wife, Shari Redstone whom he married in 1980 and later divorced, is the daughter of Sumner Redstone, Chairman of the Board and controlling shareholder of the Viacom and CBS Corporation media conglomerates.[1]

The Rebbe's second wife, the Rebbetzin D. Korff, is a native of Jerusalem and a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov and the Hasidic dynasties of Zvhil, Zlotshev, and Tshernobl. She is the daughter of the late Shomer Emunim Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Avrohom Chayim Roth of Jerusalem and Bnei Brak, who was the son of Reb Arele. Her mother, the late Shomrei Emunim Rebbetzin, Rabbi Korff's third cousin, was the daughter of the previous Zvhiler Rebbe of Jerusalem, Rabbi Mordechai.


Education

He received three ordinations (Smicha, D.D.), educated at Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, the Rabbinical Seminary of Israel, and Yeshivas Beis Mordechai (Zvhil) of Jerusalem, and was tutored privately by masters of Hasidism and Kabbalah.

In addition, The Rebbe is a graduate of Columbia University, Harvard University, Hebrew College, Brooklyn Law School, and Boston University School of Law, and holds the BA., B.J.E., J.D., and LL.M. degrees. In conjunction with The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and the Harvard Law School International Law Center he received an M.A. in international relations, an M.A.L.D. in international law and diplomacy, and a Ph.D. in international law. He was also a resident graduate at Harvard Divinity School.


Career

Grand Rabbi Korff simultaneously combined careers as a rabbi, chaplain, lawyer, diplomat, businessman and entrepreneur. His grandfather Jacob I. Korff was a Hasidic Rebbe,[3] and he eventually assumed the position of successor to his grandfather.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rabbi Korff served as rabbi of several Orthodox congregations in Boston and Providence, and at Temple Aliyah, now a Conservative synagogue[4] in Needham.[3]

He organized and staffed one of the first White Collar Crime units in the United States as a special consultant to the Norfolk County (Mass.) District Attorney's Office, and he served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for Massachusetts. On a political level he has advised candidates for political office at the City Council, Mayoral, Mass. Senate, Governor’s Office, and U.S. Senate and Congressional level, and assisted officials in substantive matters following their election to office.

After marrying Shari Redstone, Korff was brought into the family's entertainment business, which he expanded internationally. He served as president of National Amusements, the Redstone family business through which they exercise various degrees of control in Viacom and CBS, from 1987 until 1994, two years after the divorce.[5].

He has served as an advisor and consultant in both public and private international relations, assisting numerous governments (including the United States, the U.K., Austria, Thailand, China, Jordan and others) in matters of diplomacy and international relations, and he has advised numerous national and multi-national business ventures in the United States and abroad.

Works

Korff is the author of Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok: Insights of a Contemporary Chassidic Master, in the original Hebrew/Yiddish/Aramaic and in English translation, on Kabbalah and Halakha, Jewish laws.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Herschaft, Jean (18 July 1980). "The Social Calendar". The Jewish Post and Opinion. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  2. ^ Scheible, Sue (13 Jan, 2010). "Milton leader Rabbi Nathan Korff dies at 91". WickedLocal. Retrieved 3 February 2016. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b "Damaged Torahs Buried". The Telegraph. AP. 12 Mar 1982. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Our Mission and History". Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  5. ^ O'Brien, Luke (December 2009). "Trouble in the House of Redstone". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok : Insights of a Contemporary Chassidic Master: Meshivas Nefesh Yitzchok, Y. A. Korff: 9780964536722: Amazon.com: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 4 February 2016.

Sources

  • Toldos Anshei Shem, Rand and Greenblat, New York, 1950
  • Sefer Meshivas Nefesh Yitzhak, New York, 2000, 2001, second Revised Edition ISBN 0-9645367-1-4
  • HaHasidut, Prof. Yizhak Alfasi, Jerusalem.

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