I was born in Israel to Russian-immigrant parents. My family immigrated to the United States when I was five years old. Growing up in New York as a middle child, my parents instilled within my brothers and I a deep sense of responsibility to help others in any way we could.
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It was the seed they planted that would guide me throughout my life. I developed a unique appreciation for helping people.
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As my journey into Judaism deepened, I became more aware of the spiritual side of life, and I had an epiphany. Helping people develop their unique relationship with the Divine is the greatest way to help people.
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I attended yeshivas in New York and Israel, and seven years later received my rabbinical ordination. I am fortunate to have spent the past two and a half decades teaching, counseling, and helping people from all walks of life, from New York to Belarus, from Israel to Miami.
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When I was a rabbinical student, one of my mentors told me, “Shmuel, you make the order within the chaos.” Thank G-d, the gift that I have is to counsel and help people through tumultuous times in their lives. I have a unique ability to distill the chaos and darkness, and help people make room within themselves to find meaning and growth when they don’t believe it's possible.
The idea for the Wartime Rabbi grew organically from years of counseling people through personal wartimes in their lives. I am grateful for the opportunity I have every day to help people uncover their strengths, gain clarity, and get inspired to overcome their challenges and live happy, fulfilling lives.
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My wife and I spent the past fifteen years running a Chabad on Campus Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. We recently moved to Miami where we work with teenagers and young Jewish professionals.
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Shmuel Kravitsky
Shmuel