Gunther Plaut

W. Gunther Plaut (born 1912) is a Rabbi of Reform Judaism and author.

Related Topics:
Rabbi - Reform Judaism

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Plaut was the Rabbi of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto for several decades and is currently its Rabbi Emeritus. He was born in Germany, where he received his Doctor of Laws degree and in 1935 fled the Nazis and went to the United States. After receiving his U.S. citizenship on March 31, 1943, he enlisted as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. He was eventually assigned to the 104th Infantry Timberwolf Division and served as a frontline chaplain with the 104th in Belgium and Germany.

Related Topics:
Toronto - Germany - 1935 - Nazi - United States - March 31 - 1943 - Chaplain - U.S. Army

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He wrote a book of the Torah and Haftorah as well as commentary, known as the Plaut Commentary and was a long time columnist for the Canadian Jewish News as well as a contributor of opinion pieces to various Canadian newspapers such as the Toronto Star. He started the W. Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award. Plaut was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and has largely withdrawn from public activities.

Related Topics:
Torah - Haftorah - Canadian Jewish News - Toronto Star - Alzheimer's disease

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He is a former president of the Canadian Jewish Congress and was also vice-chair of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Related Topics:
Canadian Jewish Congress - Ontario Human Rights Commission

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In 1978 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1999.

Related Topics:
1978 - Order of Canada - 1999

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