Reuben Joshua Poupko Explained

Reuben Joshua Poupko is a Canadian-American Orthodox rabbi. He has served as spiritual leader of the Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation synagogue in Montreal since 1986,[1] [2] and sits as co-chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs' Canadian Rabbinic Caucus.[3]

He has appeared in three films: Schmelvis: The Search for the King's Jewish Roots, a documentary on Elvis Presley's supposed Jewish roots;[4] [5] Once a Nazi, on former Waffen SS soldier-turned-professor Adalbert Lallier;[6] and Untying the Bonds ... Jewish Divorce, a documentary aiming to "increase awareness of the Jewish divorce issue."[7]

Controversy

In an interview with the Montreal Gazette in March 2021, Poupko attributed the upswing of the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant in parts of Montreal to the Lubavitch and Sephardic communities,[8] prompting Federation CJA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs to issue a joint apology.[9]

Personal life

Poupko is the son of Gilda Twerski-Novoseller Poupko and Rabbi Baruch Poupko, rabbi for over sixty years of Congregation Shaare Torah in Pittsburgh.[10] His maternal grandfather was Rabbi Dovid Shlomo Novoseller, and maternal grandmother a descendent of the Twersky rabbinic dynasty.[11]

Poupko is the twin brother of Rivy Poupko Kletenik. He is married to makeup artist Mindy Shear of Montreal, where they reside with her son Shalev.[12] Rabbi Poupko has five children: Adina (married to Hillel Silverberg), Hindy (married to Seth Galena), Tamar (married to Elliot Smith), Eliezer (married to Chany Wilner) and Avi (married to Shifra Valvo).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Us. Beth Israel Beth Aaron. October 9, 2023.
  2. Web site: Eisenthal. Bram. Canadian university decision to ban Barak sparks free-speech demonstration. Jweekly. October 8, 2004.
  3. Web site: What is the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus?. Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. October 9, 2023.
  4. News: Eichler. Leah. Love Him Tender. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104182853/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10028540.html. dead. 2012-11-04. The Jerusalem Report. April 8, 2002.
  5. News: Stoffman. Judy. All schnook up at Graceland; Search for Schmelvis Presley kicks off Jewish Film Festival. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103205200/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/421762921.html?dids=421762921:421762921&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+19,+2002&author=Judy+Stoffman&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=All+schnook+up+at+Graceland+%3B+Search+for+Schmelvis+Presley+kicks+off+Jewish+Film+Festival&pqatl=google. dead. November 3, 2012. Toronto Star. April 19, 2002.
  6. Web site: Hewings. Meg. Nazi victim. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927035730/http://www.hour.ca/film/film.aspx?iIDArticle=10304. September 27, 2007. Hour magazine. September 14, 2006.
  7. Book: Singer, David. https://books.google.com/books?id=QM1hloeMQqgC&dq=%22Reuben+Poupko%22&pg=PA204. Religion. American Jewish Year. VNR AG. 1998. 204. 978-0-87495-113-4 .
  8. News: Aaron. Derfel. The Montreal Gazette. March 19, 2021. Analysis: Montreal health authorities reach out to Jewish leaders as variants surge.
  9. Web site: Response to Montreal Gazette article. Federation CJA. 2021.
  10. Web site: History. Shaare Torah.
  11. News: Gilda Twerski-Novoseller dies. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 4, 1983.
  12. News: Rabbi and his wife don dancing shoes for Montreal Children's Hospital. January 25, 2018. Janice. Arnold. The Canadian Jewish News.

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