Marc H. Tanenbaum
Marc H. Tanenbaum | |
|---|---|
Tanenbaum and Pope John Paul II in 1990 | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | October 13, 1925 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | July 3, 1992 (aged 66) |
| Nationality | American |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Yeshiva University, Jewish Theological Seminary |
| Occupation | Human rights and social justice activist who worked on Christian-Jewish relations |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Denomination | Conservative |
| Residence | New York City |
| Semikhah | 1950 |
Marc H. Tanenbaum (1925–1992) was a human rights and social justice activist and rabbi. He was known for building bridges with other faith communities to advance mutual understanding and co-operation and to eliminate entrenched stereotypes, particularly ones rooted in religious teachings.
He was an advocate during the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) on behalf of what eventually emerged as Nostra aetate. The landmark document overturned a long tradition of hostility toward Jews and Judaism, including the charge that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus; affirmed the Jewish roots of Christianity; established a new policy of outreach in dialogue to Jews; and set out a new course for Catholic-Jewish relations.
Tanenbaum was dubbed "the human rights rabbi" for his work on behalf of Vietnamese boat people and Cambodian refugees. He also helped to organize humanitarian relief for victims of the Nigerian Civil War.