Born in Dresden., Germany, 1908.

Married to Rivka née Slonim (born in Hevron, the eighth generation in Eretz Israel, scion of Lubavitch).

One daughter, one son, ten grandchildren.

Passed away October 17, 1999

Education

1928

Graduated from Gymnasium, Dresden

1928-31

The Rabbinical Seminary in Berlin
University of Berlin

1931-34

University of Leipzig

1933

Received Doctorate in philosophy, Dissertation about Logistic Neo-positivism

1935-38

Rabbinical Seminary in Berlin

1938

Ordained as Rabbi

1939

Immigrated to Palestine as Research Fellow at Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Degrees

Rabbi
Doctor of Philosophy -University of Leipzig
Staatsexam für das Höhere Lehramt, Leipzig
Doctor Honoris Causa - Yeshiva University in New York
Doctor Honoris Causa - Hebrew Jewish University of Chicago
Doctor Honoris Causa - University of Bar-Ilan
Doctor Honoris Causa - Touro College, New York
Doctor Honoris Causa - University of the Negev, Beer Sheva
Fellow - Jerusalem Institute of Technology

Positions

Europe

1933-35

Teacher, Secondary School in Leipzig

1936

Executive Mizrachi, Germany

1937

Executive Zionist Movement, Germany

1937-51

Member of Zionist Actions Committees

1939-40

Active in Emigration from Europe

Israel

1941-46

Teacher at the Herzlia College and Beit Tzeirot Mizrachi, Tel Aviv; Director of Institute for Adult Education in Tel Aviv.

1946-49

Director of Religious Rescue Projects in Europe (Paris)

1949-88

Member of Knesset (Israeli Parliament)

1949-51

Deputy Speaker of Knesset

1951-52

Minister of Health

1952-58

Minister of Posts

1959-70

Minister of Welfare

1970-77

Minister of the Interior

1977-84

Minister of the Interior and Police

1984-86

Minister of Religious Affairs

Chairman of Cabinet Committees for the Autonomy Negotiations with Egypt and USA
Member of Cabinet Committees for: Defense and Security, Finance, Economics, Interior, Services, and Environment Coordination Committee between the Government and the Jewish Agency.
Chairman of Ministerial Committees on : Jerusalem, Development of Galilee, Crime Prevention, Cabinet Procedures
Official Representative and visits on behalf of the Israeli Government to: Belgium, Bolivia, Columbia, Denmark, France, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Upper Volta.

1977

President, World Mizrachi Movement

1987

Member of Zionist Actions Committee

1992

Member of the Presidium of Zionist Actions Committee
Broadcasts weekly lectures on the Bible
Commentator on Current Affairs on Israeli and foreign radio
Lecturer on Israel and Judaism on all continents
Chairman - International Bible Quiz

Affiliations

National Religious Party - Member of Central Institutions

Mizrachi - Member of World Executive, World President

"Yad Vashem" - Chairman of International Committee

Bar-Ilan University - Member of Board of Governors

Leo Baeck Institute - Member of Board of Governors

Languages

Hebrew, French, English, Yiddish, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek