Marc Gafni

Doctor
Marc Gafni
Marc Gafni
Born
Marc Winiarz

1960 (age 63–64)
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other namesMordechai Gafni, Mark Gafni, Mordechai Winiarz, Mordechai Winyarz
Occupation(s)Philosopher, writer
Spouse
Chaya[2]
​
​
(m. 1998; div. 2004)​
[3]
Children3[1]
Academic background
EducationQueens College, Oxford University
Alma materOxford University
ThesisThe Theology of Acosmic Humanism: Mordechai Lainer of Izbica (2006)
Academic work
DisciplineTheology, Religious Studies
Sub-disciplineNew Age spirituality
InstitutionsCenter for Integral Wisdom
Websitewww.marcgafni.com

Marc Gafni (born Marc Winiarz; 1960) is an American philosopher, writer, and former rabbi who became a New Age spiritual teacher with a focus on integral theory, eros, and "outrageous love".[1][4][5][6][7] He is the president of the Center for Integral Wisdom, which he co-founded with Ken Wilber, and he is the co-founder and co-president of the Office for the Future.[8][9] He is the author of Radical Kabbalah and Your Unique Self: The Radical Path to Personal Enlightenment,[10] which won USA Book News Awards in 2012.[11]

Gafni's teachings, often described as integral or world spirituality, aimed to transcend traditional religious boundaries and offer a modern, inclusive approach to spiritual practice. In the late 1990s, Gafni made a significant impact in Israel by founding the Bayit Hadash spiritual center in Jaffa and hosting a popular television program, Tahat Gafno, on Israel's Channel 2.[5][12] His work during this period was characterized by a blend of traditional Jewish teachings with contemporary spiritual themes, appealing to a diverse audience seeking a deeper connection to spirituality outside conventional religious frameworks. Gafni's 2003 book, Mystery of Love, further established his reputation as a provocative thinker on the subjects of eros, sexuality, and relationships.

However, Gafni's career has been marred by serious allegations of sexual misconduct.[4][5][6][7][13] In 2004, he faced accusations of sexual assault during the 1980s from two women who were teenagers at the time. Despite Gafni's denials and attempts to frame the relationships as consensual,[14][15] the allegations led to significant fallout, including the return of his rabbinical ordination to Rabbi Shlomo Riskin.[4] More allegations emerged in 2006 from attendees of the Bayit Hadash center, resulting in its closure[16] and further tarnishing Gafni's reputation.[17][18][19][20] In 2016, further fallout was triggered in part by an article in The New York Times.[5][21][22]

In recent years, Gafni has continued to be a polarizing figure. He co-founded the Center for World Spirituality, later the Center for Integral Wisdom, with support from prominent figures like Ken Wilber and John Mackey. Despite ongoing allegations and public disavowals from former supporters, Gafni has persisted in his spiritual and philosophical work, publishing books such as Radical Kabbalah and A Return to Eros.

  1. ^ a b Livneh, Neri (March 4, 2004). "Post-Orthodoxy Journey". Haaretz. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hubbard was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Chaya-2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c Rosenblatt, Gary (September 24, 2004). "The Re-Invented Rabbi". Between the Lines. The Jewish Week. Archived from the original on September 25, 2004. Retrieved January 11, 2008. Alt URL
  5. ^ a b c d Oppenheimer, Marc (December 25, 2015). "A Spiritual Leader Gains Stature, Trailed by a Troubled Past". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Friedman, Gabe (December 29, 2015). "4 quotes by ex-Orthodox rabbi Marc Gafni not in The NY Times article". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  7. ^ a b JTA (December 31, 2015). "US Jewish group spurns ex-rabbi over his sexual behavior". The Times of Israel. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Matousek-2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Ellsberg, Michael (January 12, 2014). "John Mackey, Co-CEO of Whole Foods, and Marc Gafni on 'The Unique Self of Business'". Forbes. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Stein-2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference USABook2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "The Gafni Show: Tachat Gafno". IMDB. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Chang, Sophia (March 5, 2020). "Influential New Age Guru Sued Over Allegations He Molested Child While At Yeshiva University". Gothamist. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gafni-2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Gafni, Marc (February 10, 2017). "NCFM Member Marc Gafni, Fake Facts: Unchecked Falsehoods that Destroy Lives". National Coalition for Men. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ner-David-2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference Siegal-2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference Raved-2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ganihar-2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference Singer-Heruti-2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kustanowitz-2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rosenblatt-2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).