HARF, HANNS

HARF, HANNS (1914–2004), founder and rabbi of the Nueva Comunidad Israelita – NCI (Jews of German origin) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Born in Monchengladbach, Germany, he studied in the University of Berlin Law School and learned theology, also in Berlin, at the Conservative rabbinical seminary from which he received rabbinical ordination and a Ph.D. On kristallnacht (November 9–10, 1938) he was taken to the Oranienburg concentration camp. After his liberation he married Dr. Suse Hallenstein and immigrated to Argentina. He founded the NCI and the "Lamroth Hakol" communities in Buenos Aires and was active rabbi of the former for 60 years. He was also co-founder of the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano "Marshall T. Meyer" (Conservative rabbinical seminary) and professor there for homiletics. He was also active in Interfaith Christian-Jewish Associations and was well known for his liberal ideas. He participated in religious-oriented television programs. Until his last days, he dedicated his life to the members of his community.