Rabbi Shalom Hammer, a Chaplain for the Israeli Defense Forces, will the scholar-in-residence this Shabbat, January 28, at Congregation Young Israel of Tucson.
Originally from Monsey, NY, Shalom and his wife, Gabi, made Aliyah to Israel in 1990 where he served under the Israeli Rabbinate branch of the IDF.
Hammer received his Smicha rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University as well as a BA in Speech and Communications and a MA in Education from Azrieli Graduate School.
He served as the Rabbi of Temple Beth Jacob in Columbus, Ohio, and is currently a motivational speaker for the IDF Rabbinate. Among the books he authored are "The Family Parsha Book," "The Eybeshitz Haggadah: Experiencing Redemption," and "The Family Rashi Book."
His visit is co-sponsored by Chabad of Tucson as part of the 2012 Guest Lecture Series.
Services on January 28 will begin at 9:30am. Rabbi Hammer will be giving the sermon after Torah reading.
The Junior Minyan and children's program will begin at 10:45pm.
The weekly "special kiddush" in the Amster Auditorium will be expended for a full sit down meal donated by Willie and Marta Kats in honor of the birth of their grandson.
At the meal, Rabbi Hammer will deliver a talk titled "Where Are We Fighting For." He will share inspiring ideas which he imparts to motivate combat troops and speak on how promoting communal values secures the future of the land of Israel.