Daniel Lapin

Daniel Lapin (born January 1, 1947) is a South African-born American Orthodox rabbi, author, and public speaker who heads the "American Alliance of Jews and Christians".[1] He was previously the founding rabbi of the Pacific Jewish Center in Venice, California,[2] and the former head of Toward Tradition, the Commonwealth Loan Company and the Cascadia Business Institute. Lapin currently hosts a daily television program with his wife, Susan, and provides spiritual advice to people through his website.[3]

Daniel Lapin

Rabbi
Born (1947-01-01) January 1, 1947
Johannesburg, South Africa
CitizenshipU.S. naturalized citizen (1973)
OccupationAmerican Orthodox rabbi
Author
Radio Show Host
OrganizationAmerican Alliance of Jews and Christians, Toward Tradition
Websitehttp://www.rabbidaniellapin.com

Early life and education

Lapin was born on January 1, 1947, in Johannesburg, South Africa,[4] to a family of Lithuanian Jewish descents. He was the eldest of four siblings.[5] His father, A. H. Lapin, was the nephew of Rabbi Elya Lopian (1872–1970), and served as a prominent and outspoken Orthodox rabbi in Johannesburg and Cape Town. His father eventually established an Orthodox synagogue (Am Echad) in San Jose, California, after leaving South Africa in the 1970s. Lapin emigrated with his family from South Africa to the United States in the 1970s, and became a naturalized United States citizen in 1973.[6] Prior to coming to the United States, he studied in Yeshivas in Gateshead and Jerusalem. Lapin has rabbinic ordination from three institutions: Gateshead Yeshiva (1969); Yeshiva Knesset Hezekiah in Israel (1972); and from Rabbi Jacob Ruderman in Baltimore, Maryland (1975).[5]

While in his early twenties he returned to South Africa and taught physics and Bible in Yeshiva College of South Africa. In order to finance his planned move to Israel, Lapin formed a company, "Lapin Marine Enterprises" to manufacture boats. When he made enough money to finance his plans, he sold the company and went to New York in 1973, planning to stay one month in the US and then move to Israel. Lapin had a change of heart, and instead of moving to Israel, he partnered with Rabbi Matis Weinberg, the son of a prominent rabbi in Baltimore, and started a yeshiva for high school and post-high school students in California, Kerem College, in Santa Clara, in 1976.[5]

His family re-located to Washington State in 1991 to develop Toward Tradition, and to host a nationally syndicated weekly radio show.[7]

Lapin has two brothers, David and Raphael, who are also Orthodox rabbis and have similar educational backgrounds. His sister is married to an American rabbi. Lapin's wife and business partner, Susan Lapin, is also an author and lecturer.[8]

Professional career

Pacific Jewish Center

From 1976 until 1991 Lapin was the rabbi of the Pacific Jewish Center in Venice, California.[5] During those years Lapin and Michael Medved helped to revitalize[5] the synagogue, which viewed itself as functioning as part of the recent Baal teshuva movement.[9] The center is known for its outreach to unaffiliated and disconnected Jews, and the Shul remains the last of the synagogues built in Venice during the first part of the 20th century.[10][11] Due to its location in an eclectic neighborhood, worshippers who identify themselves from many different denominations are all welcomed, and attend services and other events. Actors Barbra Streisand[12] and Richard Dreyfuss participated in the religious community and synagogue.

Broadcasting and television

In 1995, Lapin began to broadcast a weekly radio talk show on KVI in Seattle.[13][14] The show ended in 2006 when he began hosting a Sunday afternoon radio show on KSFO in San Francisco.[15] He is frequently interviewed on the Mike Gallagher Show, the Michael Medved Show, and the Wallbuilders radio show. Lapin and his wife, Susan Lapin, also appear in the daily television program "Ancient Jewish Wisdom with Rabbi Daniel Lapin" produced by the TCT Television Network.[16] Lapin has also been a frequent guest of Dave Ramsey on The Dave Ramsey Show on radio and television[17] and on the Glenn Beck Program on Fox News Channel and TheBlaze.

Lifecodex Publishing Company

Lapin is the founder of the Lifecodex Publishing Company, which is a Web site that handles the sale of his publications and markets his services as a lecturer to businesses, church groups, and other conservative organizations.[18] Lapin's site has over 40,000 subscribers that he provides with a weekly e-mail containing his teachings and spiritual advice. The site also has archived podcasts from his show on KSFO, as well as links to numerous television appearances that he has made. The site also contains a section where people can purchase his books, CDs, and DVD.[19][20]

Publications and lectures

In addition to many books that he has written, Lapin has lectured throughout the United States at different synagogues, businesses, and charities. He has also been quoted by many authors, including Dr. James Kennedy in "How Would Jesus Vote",[21] and by Joseph A. D'Agostino in the National Conservative Weekly Newsletter.[22] Lapin has also spoken for the Heritage Foundation[23] and at the 1996 Republican National Convention.

Lectures and speeches

Lapin has given lectures and public speeches to hundreds of companies and organizations, and continues to do so at locations throughout the United States.[24] Some of his most notable speeches include addressing the Young America's Foundation at their Fifth Annual High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch Center in 2011,[25] the 1996 Republican National Convention,[26] and the Congressional Bi-Partisan reception for the 106th Congress in 1999. He has given speeches and lectures for organizations and companies, including the Christian Coalition, Crystal Cathedral, Harvard Law School, the Heritage Foundation, Voices United for Israel, and the Young Presidents' Organization.[27] He has also appeared on many talk shows, including the Glenn Beck Program,[28] the Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson,[29] and National Public Radio.[27][30]

Books

Lapin has written many books, most of them self-published by LifeCodex publishing, most of which are available only as audio books.[31]

  • America's Real War Multnomah Books, division of Random House, 2012 [32]
  • Thought Tools 2008: Fifty Timeless Truths to Uplift and Inspire, LifeCodex Publishing, 2011 (Kindle Edition)
  • Thought Tools 2009: Fifth Timeless Truths to Uplift and Inspire, LifeCodex Publishing, 2011, Kindle Edition
  • Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money | Audible, Inc., 2010 Audiobook, Hardcover, Ranked in Top 5K with Amazon.com[33]
  • Genesis Journeys – Madam, I’m Adam: Decoding the Marriage Secrets of Eden, LifeCodex Publishing, 2009, Audio Book
  • Boost Your Income! Three Spiritual Steps to Success, LifeCodex Publishing, 2008 Audio CD
  • The Ten Commandments: How Two Tables Can Transform Your Life and Direct Our Nation LifeCodex Publishing, 2008, Audio Book
  • Day of Atonement publisher unknown, 2008, Audio Book
  • The Gathering Storm (Genesis Journeys) LifeCodex Publishing, 2007, Audio Book
  • Genesis Journeys: Tower of Power – Decoding the Secrets of Babel (Genesis Journeys, Volume 1), LifeCodex Publishing, 2006, Audio Book
  • Buried Treasure: Hidden Wisdom from the Hebrew Language Multnomah Books, division of Random House, 2001 Hardcover

Religious and political views

Conservative Christians v. Jewish liberalism

Lapin promotes conservative political principles, intermixed with traditional religious observance. Lapin was one of the Jewish voices in support of Mel Gibson's successful film The Passion of the Christ, and was a strong supporter of the efforts by Terri Schiavo's parents to keep their daughter alive. He is also a strong supporter of Pope Pius XII as a righteous gentile, a term he believes should be renamed "righteous Christian". Lapin has called the United States the most "Jewish-friendly" state in history because of its Christian heritage. He argues that it is better for Jews to promote shared Judeo-Christian values with the majority than promote solely Jewish values. He has also called secular liberalism a danger to Judeo-Christian values, and claimed that the Holocaust Memorial Museum presents anti-Christian propaganda; he says that the museum ignores, for example, the work of Corrie ten Boom's family in unconditionally saving Jews during World War II. Lapin has declared that the Anti-Defamation League and its allies are "dangerous organizations that are driving a wedge between American Jews and Christians". Referring to ADL national director Abraham Foxman, Lapin claimed that by calling The Passion of the Christ anti-Semitic, "what he is saying is that the only way (for Christians) to escape the wrath of Foxman is to repudiate (their own) faith". Lapin also rejects the idea that the Jewish left represents Judaism. He has excoriated Jewish liberals for their promotion of ideas he views as contrary to traditional Judaism, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and socialism. He argues that Jewish-born liberals have redefined "Judaism" to mean "liberalism" - and redefined "anti-liberalism" as "anti-Semitism". Lapin has said: "It is time for us to recognize the charge of anti-Semitism for what it often is: a political weapon intended to silence critics of liberalism."

Public celebration of Christmas

Lapin has spoken against the secularization of Christmas, saying that, "We see obsequious regard for faiths like Judaism and even Islam, while Christianity is treated with contempt". He is opposed to replacing the "Merry Christmas" greeting with "Happy Holidays", saying, "Let us all go out of our way to wish our many wonderful Christian friends a very merry Christmas ... Nationwide, Christmas Nativity scenes are banned from city halls and shopping malls, but Chanukah menorahs are permitted."[34]

Wealth

Lapin asks: "Does God want people to be rich?" ... "Yes!", he says, because God "wants us to be obsessively preoccupied by one another's needs", a habit that the commerce relationship fosters. "Wealth is a consequence of doing the right thing", he says. He argues that the Torah supports the free market and opposes punitive taxation, and wants people to pass on assets to their descendants, rather than being taken by the government by inheritance taxes.

Awards and recognition

Lapin has received endorsements from Dave Ramsey, Dr. Kenneth L. Hutcherson, Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Pat Robertson, and Zig Ziglar.[35] In 1998, he was recognized by Seattle Magazine as one of the "Four Faces of Faith" and featured in an article that included three other religious leaders.[36] In 2007, he was named by Newsweek as one of the top 50 rabbis in America.[37]

Lapin has been linked to the scandal of Jack Abramoff through his organization Toward Tradition. From the early 1990s until 2004, Abramoff was a board member of the organization, which required its board members to contribute at least $10,000 per year to the organization, and served a few terms as Chairman of the Board. Abramoff met his contribution one year by donating $10,000 from the Capital Athletic Foundation, an organization Abramoff controlled. E-mails later surfaced that were alleged to have been sent between Lapin and Abramoff. In these e-mails, Abramoff requests that Lapin create fake awards for Talmudic studies to help Abramoff gain admittance to the Cosmos Club in Washington, D. C. Lapin later released a formal statement denying having given any awards to Abramoff, and stated that he was joking in the e-mails and believed that Abramoff was as well.[38][39]

Family

Lapin told the interviewer that he "is the oldest child" brother of Rabbi David Lapin and Rabbi Raphael Lapin; their sister is Rebbetzin Judith Chill.[40] Their father was the notable South African Rabbi Avraham Hyam Lapin (1912–1991), who was a nephew of Rabbi Elyah Lopian (1876–1970).[5] Lapin married Susan Friedberg on 15 May 1979. They have six daughters and one son.[5]

References
  1. Examiner staff (March 29, 2012). "Rabbi Lapin Reveals Prosperity Secrets". Missing or empty |url= (help) "Archived copy". Archived from the original Check |url= value (help) on March 26, 2006. Retrieved 2011-05-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)[.]examiner[.]com/article/rabbi-lapin-reveals-prosperity-secrets (URL blocked by Wikipedia)
  2. Talk Radio Network. "Rabbi Daniel Lapin Discusses Whether Netanyahu Will Press The White House Hard on Iran". Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  3. World Mag. "Deuteronomy Duo". Retrieved June 26, 2012. (subscription required)
  4. Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. "Forgiving New Jewish Ties". Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  5. Formicola, Jo Renee; Morken, Hubert (2001). Religious Leaders and Faith-based Politics: Ten Profiles. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 98. ISBN 0847699633.
  6. The Interim. "Q and A with: Rabbi Daniel Lapin". Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  7. Catholic Education Resource Center. "A Rabbi's Warning To U.S. Christians". Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  8. Jewish World Reviews. "Opening The Book on Hate". Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  9. Pacific Jewish Center. "About Us". Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  10. Prayer Shawls, Flip-Flops Mingle at 'Shul on the Beach', by Rebecca Spence, Forward, September 26, 2007
  11. Religion and Prime Time Television By Michael Suman, UCLA Center for Communication Policy, Greenwood Publishing Group, 1997, p. 116
  12. Wenig, Gaby (July 3, 2003) New Rabbi Hopes More Families Enjoy Sun, Surf, and Shabbat at PFC "Jewish Journal of Los Angeles". Jewish Journal Retrieved 2009-12-22
  13. The Seattle Times (June 25, 1996). "Film Critic Michael Medved Will Likely Get KVI Talk Slot". Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  14. Green, Norman (July 27, 1996) Hot Talk' Radio Rabbi Sees Role For The Right – Conservatism Unites Faiths, Says Daniel Lapin., The Seattle Times Retrieved 2009-12-22
  15. KSFO 560 Hot Talk. "Rabbi Daniel Lapin". Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  16. Truth Tellers. "Rabbi Lapin: Christians Under Relentless Attack By Secular Judaism". Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  17. A Real Change. "Dave Ramsey & Rabbi Daniel Lapin Speak About Dale Carnegie". Retrieved June 16, 2012. (Link Includes Embedded Video)
  18. Hebrew Heritage Ministries International. "Holy Warrior". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  19. RabbiDanielLapin. "RabbiDanielLapin". Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  20. Dr. James Dobson Radio Broadcasts. "The Battle For Civilization – I". Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  21. Dr. James Kennedy & Jerry Newcombe. "How Would Jesus Vote". Retrieved June 15, 2012. (Retrieved from "look inside" through Amzaon.com)
  22. Human Events Online – The National Conservative Weekly Newsletter. "Conservative Spotlight: Rabbi Daniel Lapin". Archived from the original on February 19, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  23. Policy Archive. "The Severed Flower: Conservatism Without God" (PDF). Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  24. Daniel Lapin. "Appearances". Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  25. Libertas. "High School Students Energized by Freedom, Free Markets, and Reagan". Retrieved June 15, 2012. (Retrieved from Issuu.com)
  26. First Principles. "Higher Education and the Liberal Arts". Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  27. All American Speakers
  28. The Blaze. "Beck & Rabbi Lapin Show Why You Should Care About 'Baal' & Rising Secular Fundamentalism". Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  29. Secular News Daily. "James Dobson and Daniel Lapin Determine that 'The Pill' Destroyed Society". Archived from the original on November 24, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  30. Young America's Foundation. "Daniel Lapin". Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  31. Amazon.com. "Books by Daniel Lapin". Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  32. WaterBrook Mulnomah. "Author Spotlight – Rabbi Daniel Lapin". Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  33. Amazon.com (October 26, 2009). Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments For Making Money. ISBN 978-0470485880.
  34. Lapin, Daniel (November 24, 2005) Merry Christmas is Not Offensive – Jews Should Protect Religious Freedom for Everyone. Orthodoxy Today Retrieved 2009-12-22
  35. RabbiDanielLapin. "Endorsements". Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  36. Seattle Magazine. "The Four Faces of Faith". Missing or empty |url= (help)
  37. Newsweek (retrieved from The Daily Beast). "The Top 50 Rabbis in America". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  38. The Seattle Times (January 9, 2006). "Abramoff Used Area Foundation As A Conduit For Money". Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  39. Curtius, Mary. "A Lobbyist's E-Mail Train of Billing, Status, Charity." The Los Angeles Times. June 25, 2005
  40. "Genealogy - Geni - private profile - Genealogy". www.geni.com. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
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