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{{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}'''Barry Gurary''' (also: '''Gourary''', '''Sholom Dovber'''{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} or '''Berke'''<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mindel|first=Nissan|author-link=Nissan Mindel|date=Dec 2, 2015|title=My Life and Times|magazine=]|issue=245|page=100}}</ref>) (b. in ], ] February 10, 1923, d. ], ], ] March 14, 2005) was the only son of Rabbi ] and ]. He was the nephew of Rabbi ], the seventh ]. {{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}'''Barry Gurary''' (also: '''Gourary''', '''Sholom Dovber'''{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} or '''Berke'''<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mindel|first=Nissan|author-link=Nissan Mindel|date=Dec 2, 2015|title=My Life and Times|magazine=]|issue=245|page=100}}</ref>) (b. in ], Russia February 10, 1923, d. ], ], United States March 14, 2005) was a rabbi. He was the nephew of Rabbi ], the seventh ].


== Biography ==
==Family origins and history==
Barry Gurary was the only son of Rabbi ]. He married Mina Haskind, the daughter of Alter Haskind from a prominent ] family.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} Barry Gurary was the only son of Rabbi ] and the nephew of Rabbi ]. He married Mina Haskind.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}


Gurary's relationship with Schneerson was a source of friction within the family and the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic community.<ref name="nyt-judge-awards">{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Ari L. |title=JUDGE AWARDS RABBI'S LIBRARY TO HASIDIC UNIT |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/07/nyregion/judge-awards-rabbi-s-library-to-hasidic-unit.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=New York Times |date=7 January 1987}}</ref>
Barry Gurary's family relationship with his uncle (the Rebbe, Rabbi ]) was very close and friendly for the first part of Barry's life, until approximately 1951, when Barry cut off his relationship with the Rebbe, around the time when it came clear that the consensus of the Hasidim was that they saw his uncle, Rabbi ], rather than his father, Rabbi ], as the more worthy candidate to assume the senior leadership position of the movement–known as "Rebbe"–as successor to his grandfather, Rabbi ] (who passed away less than a year earlier). Even his relationship with his own father (Rabbi ]) had become strained, when he (his father) chose to publicly accept the Hasidim's preference for his brother-in-law (Rabbi ]) as the new Rebbe. Barry's strained relationship with his father only deteriorated further in the ensuing years, as his father's deepfelt loyalty and reverence towards his brother-in-law (Rabbi ]) became increasingly more visible and undeniable. Years later, when Barry chose to exclude and not invite his uncle (Rabbi ]) to his wedding, his father (Rabbi ]) decided to not attend the wedding either. Barry's decision to distance himself from his father and his uncle proved to be a source of struggle and friction to himself, his family and–around 35 years later–his father's and uncle's organization (Chabad-Lubavitch) as a whole.<ref name="nyt-judge-awards">{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Ari L. |title=JUDGE AWARDS RABBI'S LIBRARY TO HASIDIC UNIT |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/07/nyregion/judge-awards-rabbi-s-library-to-hasidic-unit.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=New York Times |date=7 January 1987}}</ref>


⚫ One year after the death of his grandfather, ], ] became the seventh ] of the movement, while Shemaryahu Gurary, Barry Gurary's father, held the same positions he had in the past.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Telushkin|first=Joseph|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/859586312|title=Rebbe: the life and teachings of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the most influential Rabbi in modern history|publisher=HarperWave|year=2014|isbn=978-0-06-231898-5|edition=First|location=New York, NY|oclc=859586312}}</ref>{{bsn|date=January 2023}}


==Place in Chabad-Lubavitch== === ''Agudas Chasidei Chabad v. Gourary'' ===
⚫ One year after the death of ], his son-in-law Rabbi ] became the choice of most Lubavitchers as the seventh ] of the movement, while Rabbi ], Barry Gurary's father, held on to the same positions he had in the past, and was loyal to his brother-in-law, who had become the seventh and was to be the last Rebbe of Chabad.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Telushkin|first=Joseph|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/859586312|title=Rebbe: the life and teachings of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the most influential Rabbi in modern history|publisher=HarperWave|year=2014|isbn=978-0-06-231898-5|edition=First|location=New York, NY|oclc=859586312}}</ref>


Gurary's grandfather, Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, collected a large library of Jewish texts, which included several hundred rare volumes. Gurary said he was entitled to a portion of the library and was supported in this by his mother and his grandfather's librarian, Rabbi Chaim Lieberman.<ref name=":0" />
===The only grandson of the sixth Rebbe===
On the occasion of his ], his grandfather held a ].{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} The farbrengen was attended by many thousands of Chassidim from across Eastern Europe and Russia.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} The Bar Mitzvah was seen as a milestone for the Gurary dynasty. Special photographers were invited and the speech that Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak gave was published.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}


⚫ In 1984, Gurary entered the library and clandestinely removed some books which he sold to rare book dealers. One ] Passover Haggadah from 1757 was sold for $69,000 to a Swiss book dealer who soon found a private buyer to pay nearly $150,000 for it. Gurary was observed on a security camera taking the books.<ref name=":0" />
===''Agudas Chasidei Chabad v. Gourary''===


⚫ Gurary said he had his mother's permission and the permission of his aunt, Menachem Mendel Schneerson's wife, to take the books. His aunt denied giving him permission.<ref name="nyt-books-suit">{{cite news |last1=Margolick |first1=David |title=SUIT ON BOOKS GIVES LOOK AT HASIDIM |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/18/nyregion/suit-on-books-gives-look-at-hasidim.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=New York Times |date=18 December 1985}}</ref> Schneerson demanded that the volumes be returned. When Gurary refused, also refusing Schneerson's summons to a ] (rabbinical court), Schneerson's legal team sought a temporary restraining order that would impound the books still in Gurary's possession, and a ruling that the library was the property of ], the umbrella organization for the Chasidic movement.<ref name="nyt-books-suit"></ref> Schneerson's legal team included ], former ambassador ], and future Solicitor General of the United States ].<ref name=":0" />
A dispute arose about the library of the sixth Rebbe between Barry Gurary (supported by his mother) and the Chabad community, led by his uncle the seventh Rebbe (and supported by Barry's father, Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary). Barry's grandfather, the sixth Rebbe, collected a vast library of Jewish texts, which included several hundred rare volumes. As the sixth Rebbe's grandson, Barry believed he was entitled to a portion of the library and was supported in this belief by his mother and Rabbi Chaim Lieberman (the sixth Rebbe's librarian).<ref name=":0" />


⚫ Schneerson said that the volumes were not the "personal possession" of Gurary's grandfather, but the "communal property" of the Lubavitch Hasidim. This view was supported by a letter from Gurary's grandfather indicating that the books were the heritage of the entire Jewish community.<ref name="nyt-judge-awards"></ref><ref name=":0" />
⚫ In 1984, some 34 years after his grandfather's death, Barry Gurary entered the library and clandestinely removed numerous Jewish books and began selling them to rare book dealers. One ] Passover Haggadah dating back to 1757 was sold for $69,000 to a Swiss book dealer who soon found a private buyer to pay nearly $150,000 for it. Gurary was observed on a security camera taking the books.<ref name=":0" />


⚫ During the court hearing, Gurary's mother supported him while his father supported Schneerson. Schneerson was not deposed, but his wife, ] was. Other witnesses included ] recipient ], who testified as an expert witness on Chasidic life.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Rabbi Samarious Gourary, 91, an Educator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/12/obituaries/rabbi-samarious-gourary-91-an-educator.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=New York Times |date=12 February 1989}}</ref>
⚫ Gurary claimed to have both his mother's permission, as well as the permission of his aunt, the seventh Rebbe's wife, to take the books. She, however, denied ever giving Barry any such permission.<ref name="nyt-books-suit">{{cite news |last1=Margolick |first1=David |title=SUIT ON BOOKS GIVES LOOK AT HASIDIM |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/18/nyregion/suit-on-books-gives-look-at-hasidim.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=New York Times |date=18 December 1985}}</ref> However, his uncle, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Chabad Rebbe, objected vehemently to these actions and demanded that the volumes be returned. When Barry refused, also refusing his uncle's summons to a ], Rabbi ] consulted rabbinic authorities on Jewish law who advised him that appeals can be made to a secular governmental court if justice cannot be effectuated in a Jewish court. Rabbi Schneerson's legal team decided to pursue a temporary restraining order that would impound the books still in Gurary's possession, and to pursue a ruling that the library was the property of ], the umbrella organization for the Chasidic movement.<ref name="nyt-books-suit"></ref> Rabbi Schneerson's legal team included ], former ambassador ], and future Solicitor General of the United States ].<ref name=":0" />


⚫ In 1986, the court ruled in favor of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and the ruling was upheld on appeal in 1987. Agudas Chassidei Chabad located and paid the various book collectors who had bought the books from Gurary and the volumes were returned to the library. In total, Agudas Chassidei Chabad paid $432,000 to buy back the various books.<ref name=":0" />
⚫ Rabbi Schneerson argued that the volumes were not the "personal possession" of Gurary's grandfather, but the "communal property" of the Lubavitch Hasidim. This argument was supported by a letter from Gurary's grandfather indicating that the books were the heritage of the entire Jewish community.<ref name="nyt-judge-awards"></ref><ref name=":0" />


⚫ Gurary worked as a management consultant.<ref name=":0" />
⚫ During the court hearing, Gurary's father supported his uncle's side, while his mother supported her son, Barry Gurary. While Rabbi Schneerson was not deposed, his wife, ] was. Included among the witnesses was ] recipient ], who testified as an expert witness on Chasidic life.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Rabbi Samarious Gourary, 91, an Educator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/12/obituaries/rabbi-samarious-gourary-91-an-educator.html |accessdate=26 May 2020 |work=New York Times |date=12 February 1989}}</ref>

⚫ In 1986, the court ruled in favor of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and that ruling was upheld on appeal in 1987. Agudas Chassidei Chabad located and paid the various book collectors who had bought the books from Gurary and the volumes were returned to the library. In total, Agudas Chassidei Chabad paid $432,000 to buy back the various books.<ref name=":0" />

This day was accepted as a special time of rejoicing for Lubavitch, which they called ''Didan Notzach'' ("our side won").<ref name=":0" />

==Career==
Barry Gurary studied and did research as a ] at ] and ].{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} Between 1954-1956 he did research at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Silver Spring, MD. There he worked together with Allen Kropf, later Julian H. Gibbs Professor of Chemistry at Amherst College. He also published research papers{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} mostly in ]{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} that are also available on the Internet, in some instances more than fifty years after their publication.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}

⚫ Later in life, Gurary worked as a management consultant.<ref name=":0" />


==Sources and external links== ==Sources and external links==

Latest revision as of 02:34, 17 February 2024

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Barry Gurary (also: Gourary, Sholom Dovber or Berke) (b. in Rostov-on-Don, Russia February 10, 1923, d. Montclair, New Jersey, United States March 14, 2005) was a rabbi. He was the nephew of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe.

Biography

Barry Gurary was the only son of Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary and the nephew of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. He married Mina Haskind.

Gurary's relationship with Schneerson was a source of friction within the family and the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic community.

One year after the death of his grandfather, Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, Menachem Mendel Schneerson became the seventh rebbe of the movement, while Shemaryahu Gurary, Barry Gurary's father, held the same positions he had in the past.

Agudas Chasidei Chabad v. Gourary

Gurary's grandfather, Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, collected a large library of Jewish texts, which included several hundred rare volumes. Gurary said he was entitled to a portion of the library and was supported in this by his mother and his grandfather's librarian, Rabbi Chaim Lieberman.

In 1984, Gurary entered the library and clandestinely removed some books which he sold to rare book dealers. One illuminated Passover Haggadah from 1757 was sold for $69,000 to a Swiss book dealer who soon found a private buyer to pay nearly $150,000 for it. Gurary was observed on a security camera taking the books.

Gurary said he had his mother's permission and the permission of his aunt, Menachem Mendel Schneerson's wife, to take the books. His aunt denied giving him permission. Schneerson demanded that the volumes be returned. When Gurary refused, also refusing Schneerson's summons to a Beth Din (rabbinical court), Schneerson's legal team sought a temporary restraining order that would impound the books still in Gurary's possession, and a ruling that the library was the property of Agudas Chasidei Chabad, the umbrella organization for the Chasidic movement. Schneerson's legal team included Nathan Lewin, former ambassador Jerome J. Shestack, and future Solicitor General of the United States Seth Waxman.

Schneerson said that the volumes were not the "personal possession" of Gurary's grandfather, but the "communal property" of the Lubavitch Hasidim. This view was supported by a letter from Gurary's grandfather indicating that the books were the heritage of the entire Jewish community.

During the court hearing, Gurary's mother supported him while his father supported Schneerson. Schneerson was not deposed, but his wife, Chaya Mushka Schneerson was. Other witnesses included Nobel Peace Prize recipient Elie Wiesel, who testified as an expert witness on Chasidic life.

In 1986, the court ruled in favor of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and the ruling was upheld on appeal in 1987. Agudas Chassidei Chabad located and paid the various book collectors who had bought the books from Gurary and the volumes were returned to the library. In total, Agudas Chassidei Chabad paid $432,000 to buy back the various books.

Gurary worked as a management consultant.

Sources and external links

  • Chmouel Lubecki: "Didan Notzach"
  • Sholom Ber Levin: "Mishpat HaSfarim"
  • Moshe Bogomilsky: "The story of Hey Teves"
  • Pesach Burston: "Tshura - Hey Teves - South Africa"
  • Shaul Shimon Deutsch, Larger than Life
  • Avrum M. Ehrlich, Leadership in the HaBaD Movement ISBN 0-7657-6055-X

References

  1. Mindel, Nissan (Dec 2, 2015). "My Life and Times". Ami. No. 245. p. 100.
  2. ^ Goldman, Ari L. (7 January 1987). "JUDGE AWARDS RABBI'S LIBRARY TO HASIDIC UNIT". New York Times. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  3. ^ Telushkin, Joseph (2014). Rebbe: the life and teachings of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the most influential Rabbi in modern history (First ed.). New York, NY: HarperWave. ISBN 978-0-06-231898-5. OCLC 859586312.
  4. ^ Margolick, David (18 December 1985). "SUIT ON BOOKS GIVES LOOK AT HASIDIM". New York Times. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  5. "Rabbi Samarious Gourary, 91, an Educator". New York Times. 12 February 1989. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
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