United Nations Secretary General Honour Rabbi Schneier at UN Alliance of Civilization for 90th Birth

Secretary-General António Guterres of the United Nations makes a speech on behalf of Rabbi Arthur Schneier's 90th Birthday at the United Nations (Photo Credits: Jill Stuart)

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, world diplomats and religious leaders honored renowned Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President, Founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, and Senior Rabbi of Park East Synagogue for his six decades of leadership on behalf of religious freedom and human rights and in celebration of his 90th birthday. He emanates from a family of four previous Rabbis. Held at the United Nations under the auspices of the United Nations Alliance of Civilization led by the High Representative H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos.

Born in Vienna, Austria, March 20, 1930, Rabbi Schneier lived under Nazi occupation in Budapest during World War II, he arrived in the United States in 1947. He has served as Senior Rabbi of the 132-year-old Park East Synagogue since 1962, and Founder and President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation since 1965, an interfaith coalition of business and religious leaders dedicated to promoting human rights, religious freedom and ethnic conflict resolution with leaders of various countries. Among the heads of states that have attended were François Hollande, President of France, David Cameron, the Prime Minister of England.

Rabbi Arthur Schneier has served as a U.S. Alternate Representative to the U.N. General Assembly, appointed as a Member of the High-Level Group in 2006 to the United Nations Alliance of Civilization whose goal is to bridge divisions between societies.

Among the countries that have decorated Rabbi Schneier for his work, are France, Germany, Russia, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Poland, and Spain. He is the recipient of the U.S. Presidential Citizens Medal and the U.S. Department of State Special Recognition Award.