Nachman Seltzer

Nachman Seltzer (; born 1978) is an American-Israeli Haredi rabbi, author, public speaker and journalist. He is known for his work in Jewish literature, particularly focusing on biographies and inspirational stories based on real-life events. He also served as the director of the Shira Chadasha Boys Choir.

Early life and education

Seltzer grew up in a Breslov family in Flatbush and Borough Park in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the Torah Vodaas, Karlin-Stolin, and Yesodei Hatorah yeshivas. He attended various summer camps, where he performed as an actor. As a child, he joined the Miami Boys Choir for two years, between 1992 and 1993.

At age 14, Seltzer immigrated to Israel with his family and later studied at Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey. After his marriage he studied at the Mir yeshiva in Jerusalem and received semikha from Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits at the Jerusalem Kollel.

Writing career

Seltzer is the author of 55 books , which are widely read in Orthodox Jewish communities. His works are known for their narrative style and generally focus on Jewish history, biographies, and inspirational stories, as well as a number of thriller fiction titles. It takes him three to four months to write each book.

He wrote his first book, ''The Edge'', at the age of 23. It was published by Rabbi Moshe Dombey, the founder of Targum Press, who had earlier encouraged him to start writing. His first few books were novels, after which he transitioned to short stories. Currently, he primarily writes biographies.

His books are written in English, and approximately 10 of them have been translated into Hebrew, with some also translated into French, Spanish, and Yiddish. His book ''The Edge'' was adapted into a film by Boruch Perlowitz.

He also writes a weekly column in the ''Mishpacha'' titled "A Storied People", featuring non-fiction short stories. He formerly contributed weekly to ''Hamodia''.

Public speaking

Seltzer is a frequent lecturer in Jewish communities and on TorahAnytime, often discussing the themes of his books, including faith, positivity, and Jewish identity. He also gives classes on gemara and ''hashkafa'' at American yeshivas and seminaries.

Musical career

In 2004, Seltzer founded the Shira Chadasha Boys Choir, which released about five albums and collaborated with artists such as Yaakov Shwekey, Lipa Schmeltzer, and Baruch Levine. The choir accompanied Shwekey in Bloomfield Stadium and Avraham Fried at the Heichal HaTarbut before closing in 2019.

Seltzer also produced ''Visions'', an album of English songs, and co-produced ''The Story Experience''. In September 2021, he released a song titled "A Journey to Radin", which he composed and performed. This song was inspired by his participation in the Dirshu trip to Radun. In February 2023, he released another song titled "It's About The Yomi", also composed and performed by him. This song served as a commercial for Eli Stefansky's daf yomi shiur.

Reception

Seltzer's books and lectures have been well received in Orthodox Jewish circles, garnering significant attention and praise for their unique blend of thriller elements and Jewish cultural themes. Israeli newspaper Ynet has described him as a Haredi version of Harlan Coben, noting that his fiction work has successfully crossed the sector barrier, appealing to both secular and religious readers.

Personal life

Seltzer is married to Aliza Seltzer and has four children. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, and studies in a local kollel. His son Yehuda Zvi came third place in the final of the children's reality show ''Magic Kass Star'', which was broadcast on ''Kikar HaShabbat''.

Seltzer was also one of the founders of Eli Stefansky's daf yomi shiur.

Bibliography

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seltzer, Nachman
Living people
1978 births
American Orthodox rabbis
Israeli Orthodox rabbis
21st-century American male writers
21st-century Israeli male writers
Jewish American non-fiction writers
Jewish American children's writers
Jewish American short story writers
Jewish Israeli writers
American children's writers
Israeli children's writers
American biographers
Israeli biographers
American public speakers
21st-century American journalists
20th-century American journalists
21st-century Israeli journalists
20th-century Israeli journalists
People from Beit Shemesh
Beth Medrash Govoha alumni
Mir Yeshiva alumni
Choral conductors