Joseph Telushkin is an American rabbi, author, lecturer, and scholar renowned for his contributions to Jewish ethics, theology, history, and literacy. Born on January 1, 1948, in New York, he was raised in Brooklyn and educated at Yeshiva University, where he received rabbinic ordination. He later pursued graduate studies in Jewish history at Columbia University. Telushkin began his writing career in 1975 with the book 'The Eight Questions People Ask About Judaism,' co-authored with Dennis Prager, and has since authored more than 15 books, including numerous bestsellers on Judaism. His works often explore Jewish thought, ethics, and responses to antisemitism, including collaborations on these topics. Notable among his publications is 'Rebbe,' a New York Times bestseller released in June 2014, which chronicles the life of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. As a spiritual leader and ethicist, Telushkin has lectured widely and contributed to television series such as 'The Practice' as a writer. He is acclaimed for making complex Jewish subjects accessible to broad audiences, emphasizing moral and historical dimensions of Judaism. His ongoing influence in Jewish scholarship and public discourse underscores his role in promoting Jewish education and combating prejudice through informed writing and teaching.