Off the Wall

About the Book

The Almighty has provided Rabbi Jay with a keen sense of humor and the ability to appreciate the many absurd moments of life and capture them for posterity. The book is a rare opportunity to enjoy some of the strange and off the wall experiences of the author. You will smile, laugh and find the book a powerful antidote to depression and despair. Ideal for gift giving and for folks in need of some good humor.

About the Author

Rabbi Jay Karzen, of Jerusalem, Israel, is a native of Chicago, Illinois and was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College, Skokie, Illinois. Before his Aliyah to Israel in 1985, he served pulpits in Ottumwa and Council Bluffs, Iowa (1959-65) and for 22 years served as the spiritual leader of the prestigious Maine Township Jewish Congregation Shaare Emet, Des Plaines, Illinois. In the Chicagoland community he was active in many organizations. He was president of the Alumni Association of the HTC Yeshiva and served as Chairman of both the Radio/Television Broadcasting Commission of the Chicago Board of Rabbis and the Brit Milah/Ritual Circumcision Committee of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. He was the Jewish Chaplain of the Variety Club of Illinois.

In 1985, after emigrating to Israel, he founded Rituals Unlimited and serves as its president and director. RU is the largest Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Simcha Service in Jerusalem.

Tourists from literally all over the world avail themselves of his services. The Jerusalem Post referred to him as the "Bar Mitzvah King". As a volunteer, he also runs the Cemetery and Bereavement Program of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI).

Rabbi Karzen is married to the former Ruby Ray (noted Jerusalem interior designer) and is the father of 2 children and 10 grandchildren.