By COLlive reporter
Renowned philanthropist Jay Schottenstein, known internationally for his sponsorship of Artscroll-Mesorah Books, has pledged for the first time to support a publishing enterprise outside of the Artscroll empire.
The Kol Menachem Tehillim-Schottenstein Edition was initially commissioned in 2011 by Tuvia Schottenstein of Columbus, Ohio, along with his sons David and Aryeh.
Last week, David Schottenstein, CEO of Viewabill and Swiss Stays and founder of Astor and Black Custom Clothiers, was traveling on a private jet with his cousin Jay with whom he has business dealings.
David, a donor to Chabad causes, mentioned how excited he was about the Tehillim book, which includes insights from the Lubavitcher Rebbe and is now nearing completion.
Just a few days previously, Rabbi Chaim Miller, who leads the editorial and design team that is creating the new book, had emailed David a PDF of the beautifully designed Tehillim.
When David pulled out the PDF on his iPhone and showed it to Jay, he was blown away. “This is stunning,” the senior Schottenstein said, “Can I be part of this?”
So the “Schottenstein Edition” is now going to be a joint enterprise between the two Columbus families that bear the same name, with half the project being backed by Tovia Schottenstein his wife Leah and his sons David and Aryeh, and the other half by Jay Schottenstein, his wife Jeanie and their sons Joey, Jonathan and Jeffrey.
Rabbi Meyer Gutnick, Miller’s partner in publishing and close friend for over 10 years, was delighted when he heard the news.
“This book is really going to change the way people say Tehillim,” he said. “It’s not going to just be about reading words anymore. You’re going to have a much deeper appreciation of what you’re saying.”
As reported on COLlive.com, the commentary was reviewed by Rabbi Ezra Schochet, the revered Rosh Yeshiva Ohr Elchanan Chabad in Los Angeles, CA.
i believe it is important to learn Shulchan Oruch in the original with a qualified teacher if necessary.
English translations are an excellent aid but should not become a crutch.
Hope that they keep the price down as low as possible so that more people can benefit.
Was taken at Pitti Uomo in Florence. I saw David there…
David I am proud of you, your parents and the dear partners.
Where could I see such a copy of Tehillim?
im soooo exicted!!!! ahhhh so many good books coming out. sefer hamitzvos an this wow plus its almost time 4 pirkei avos 🙂
Yashar Koach
It is mind boggling that the Alter Rebbes Shulchan Aruch is not complete in English, how in the world can we follow when we don’t understand the Language? their are thousands of Lubavitchers and Ballei Teshuvah that would benefit.
Perhaps you can make this happen…
It’s nice to see David not only sponsoring chabad projects but using his business connections to get more people involved!! Yashar koach and keep it up Schotty!