Draft:Shammai Zahn

Rabbi Shammai Zahn (6 July 1920 – 4 March 2001) was a Polish-born Rabbi known for his contributions to Jewish education and leadership, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Early Life and Escape from Germany
Born in Nuremberg, Germany, Zahn held Polish citizenship. He began his education at the Wurzburg teachers' seminary but fled to Britain in 1939, escaping the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany.

Education and Community Leadership
In 1944, Zahn joined the newly established Kollel in Gateshead as its sole unmarried student. The following year, he married Lotte Bergman, also a refugee. Zahn played a crucial role in the founding of the Sunderland Yeshiva in 1946 and served as its Rosh Yeshiva from approximately 1949 until his passing in 2001.

Global Impact
Zahn made annual trips to Morocco from 1950 to 1967 to recruit students, impacting the education of future chief rabbis of Argentina and Venezuela, as well as dayanim and communal rabbis around the world.

Community Service
In 1966, Rabbi Zahn took on the responsibilities of Rosh Yeshiva at the Sunderland Yeshiva and effectively became the Rabbi of the Sunderland Beth Hamedrash. In 1981, he became the first and only communal Rabbi of Sunderland, holding the position until his passing.

Scholarly Contributions
Beyond his leadership roles, Zahn authored two significant works on Talmudic literature, contributing to Jewish scholarship and education.

Later Years and Legacy
Zahn retired to Gateshead in 1999, where he continued to be an active member of the Jewish community until his passing on 4 March 2001.

A memorial brochure was published by the Sunderland Yeshiva, now based in Gateshead, in honor of Rabbi Shammai Zahn after his passing.