Obituary: Shmuel Rohr, 86, Major Donor to Jewish Causes

Shmuel “Sami” Rohr, a South Florida philanthropist believed to have given more than $250-million to Jewish causes around the globe, died Sunday at the age of 86, the Associated Press and United Press International report.

Mr. Rohr, a prominent figure in the Chabad-Lubavitch movement of Judaism, was born in Berlin, fled with his family to escape the Nazis and later settled in Colombia. After amassing a fortune in real estate he moved to Bal Harbour, Fla., where he lived until his death.

Through a family foundation, Mr. Rohr funded culture and education initiatives worldwide, including a $100,000 annual Jewish literature prize and community centers credited by Chabad leaders with helping to lay the groundwork for a revival of Judaism in the former Soviet Union.