Marc Schneier

Career

In 1989, Schneier co-founded the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding with Joseph Papp. The not-for-profit organization based in New York focuses on improving Muslim–Jewish relations and Black–Jewish relations.

In 1990, Schneir founded the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach in Long Island.

In 1996, he had a minor role, playing a rabbi in the film adaptation of the Holocaust-themed play, The Substance of Fire.

In 1999, Schneier authored the book Shared Dreams: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Jewish Community which is the first reference to the Letter to an Anti-Zionist Friend, an open letter allegedly written by Martin Luther King Jr. which was later determined to be a hoax.

In 2013, Schneier co-authored with Imam Shamsi Ali the book Sons of Abraham: A Candid Conversation about the Issues That Divide and Unite Jews and Muslims.

In a 2018 interview with The Times of Israel, Schneier said that he was "of course" a Zionist, adding, "I’m passionate about Israel. You know, I’m all for dialogue, but cross a line with me on Israel, I’m like a rabid dog." Schneier further elaborated to the Times that "Israel is not some 70-year-old political aspiration for the Jewish people. It’s [...] at the very core of Judaism for 3,300 years," and compared a Jew distancing themselves from Israel to a Muslim abandoning halal practices.

Regarding the Abraham Accords, Schneier enumerated Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Oman, Syria and Lebanon, as countries that may normalize relations with Israel in the near future. However, he indicated that "There's going to be very little movement in the Arab world until… Israelis recognize that everyone wants to see a Palestinian state – even if only symbolic."

Personal life

For his 50th birthday, his fourth wife, Tobi Rubinstein-Schneier, arranged for a 400 lb. endangered Asian lion to be donated in his honor at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. The lion was renamed "Rabbi Marc".

Schneier married his 5th wife, on October 6, 2013.

Schneier married his 6th wife, Simi Teitelbaum, in 2017.

In February 2018, it was reported that the State of Florida has ordered Schneier pay $5,000 a month for $64,594 in unpaid child support he owes to his third wife for the care of their then-19 year old son.

He is the son of Rabbi Arthur Schneier.

References

References

1. Ravid, Barak. (April 21, 2014). "Abbas expected to send message of condolence for Holocaust victims". Ha'Aretz.
2. Berman, Daphna (9 April 2004). [https://www.haaretz.com/2004-04-09/ty-article/the-odd-couple-new-york-rabbi-teams-up-with-black-hip-hop-icon-to-promote-racial-relations/0000017f-e13e-d75c-a7ff-fdbf0d850000 The Odd Couple: New York Rabbi Teams Up With Black Hip-hop Icon to Promote Racial Relations] ''Haaretz''. Retrieved on 24 December 2025
3. Fischler, Marcelle S. (24 August 2003). [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/24/nyregion/long-island-journal-an-orthodox-version-of-the-hamptons.html LONG ISLAND JOURNAL; An Orthodox Version of the Hamptons] ''The New York Times''. Retrieved on 24 December 2025
4. Lawson, Carol (29 November 1996). [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/29/nyregion/chronicle-521892.html Chronicle] ''The New York Times''. Retrieved on 24 December 2025
5. "Letter by Martin Luther King a Hoax".
6. (December 18, 2015). "We Don't CAIR To Talk to You". The Forward.
7. (June 18, 2016). "Rabbi Crosses Communal Line to Work With Controversial Muslim Group". The Forward.
8. Kellner, Mark A.. (November 21, 2013). "KELLNER: Rabbi, imam plead for understanding in 'Sons of Abraham'". Washington Times.
9. Borschel-Dan, Amanda. (15 March 2018). "A rabbi in King Hamad's court preaches Torah of interfaith tolerance".
10. Borschel-Dan, Amanda. (15 March 2018). "A rabbi in King Hamad's court preaches Torah of interfaith tolerance".
11. Birkner, Gabrielle. (February 4, 2009). "The Rabbi That Roared". The Forward.
12. Nemes, Hody. (November 29, 2013). "Marc Schneier Gets Married (Again!) — and RCA May Move To Resolve Dispute". The Forward.
13. (2019-02-10). "Prominent NY rabbi accused of owing child support".
14. (February 10, 2019). "Prominent NY rabbi accused of owing child support". The Jerusalem Post.