Mark Wildes

Wildes grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. Wildes earned a Masters degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University. He is the son of immigration attorney Leon Wildes and the brother of Englewood mayor Michael Wildes.{{cite web | last=Herman | first=Deb | title=Ambassador Oren speaks in memory of Ruth Wildes | website=The Jewish Standard | date=2015-12-05 | url=https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/ambassador-oren-speaks-in-memory-of-ruth-wildes/ | access-date=2025-03-02}}

In 1998, Wildes founded the Manhattan Jewish Experience, an outreach organization geared to Jews in their 20s and 30s who are unaffiliated but are interested in studying Jewish texts and learning modern Orthodox Jewish rituals.{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Penina |date=2021-09-22 |title=The 40-day challenge: A Q&A with Rabbi Mark Wildes |url=https://www.jpost.com/judaism/the-40-day-challenge-a-q-and-a-with-rabbi-mark-wildes-680041 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}{{cite web |last=Bensoussan |first=Barbara |date=2010-12-15 |title=Three Men with a Wildes Streak |url=https://mishpacha.com/three-men-with-a-wildes-streak-the-family-business-of-leon/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Mishpacha Magazine}}{{cite web |date=2017-04-06 |title=Manhattan Jewish Experience Celebrates Chai Year at Annual Dinner |url=https://jewishlink.news/manhattan-jewish-experience-celebrates-chai-year-at-annual-dinner/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=The Jewish Link}} Wildes noted that in the internet age with many distractions, relationship building has become more challenging. He organized an event nicknamed an 'apology-fest' to facilitate improving relationships.{{cite web |last=Ziri |first=Danielle |date=2016-10-11 |title=Sorry’ doesn’t have to be the hardest word |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/sorry-doesnt-have-to-be-the-hardest-word-469920 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The Jerusalem Post}} His 2018 book Beyond the Instant recommended "doing what is right rather than what is popular".{{cite web |last=Harrison |first=Donald H. |date=2018-04-09 |title=A Jewish guidebook for life's big questions |url=https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2018/04/09/a-jewish-guidebook-for-lifes-big-questions/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=San Diego Jewish World}} His group facilitated 382 couples meeting and marrying.{{cite web |last=Feldstein |first=Michael |date=2024-01-25 |title=Rabbi Mark Wildes: Making Matches Organically at MJE |url=https://jewishlink.news/rabbi-mark-wildes-making-matches-organically-at-mje/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The Jewish Link}} His book The 40 Day Challenge addressed how to find meaning in the Jewish high holidays by preparing from the beginning of the month of Elul.{{cite web |date=2021-06-17 |title=Will You Take on the Challenge? |url=https://jewishlink.news/will-you-take-on-the-challenge/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The Jewish Link}}{{cite web |date=2021-06-29 |title=Rabbi Mark Wildes Publishes New Book |url=https://www.yu.edu/news/rabbi-mark-wildes-publishes-new-book |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Yeshiva University}}{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Heather |date=2021-08-23 |title=Rabbi’s new book offers spiritual boot camp for High Holidays |url=https://www.jns.org/rabbis-new-book-offers-spiritual-boot-camp-for-high-holidays/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=JNS.org}}{{cite web |date=2021-09-14 |title=NYC Jews Prepare For Yom Kippur, A Time For Reflection |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/yom-kippur-jewish-holiday-new-york-city-rabbi-mark-wildes/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=CBS New York}} His interfaith lecture series connected Muslim and Christian clergy with his Jewish members.{{cite web |last=Ziri |first=Danielle |date=2016-01-17 |title=Manhattan Jewish Experience launches interfaith lecture program |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/manhattan-jewish-experience-launches-interfaith-lecture-program-441864 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The Jerusalem Post}} Wildes praised interfaith and citizen efforts to repair damage after antisemitic vandalism and attacks.{{cite web |last=Mikelberg |first=Amanda |date=2017-03-09 |title=Jewish leaders urge schools, JCCs to assess safety amid wave of threats – Metro US |url=https://www.metro.us/jewish-leaders-urge-schools-jccs-to-assess-safety-amid-wave-of-threats/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Metro US}}

After the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel and subsequent war, Wildes said the purpose of Israel's defending its borders is "to be able to live and to celebrate our Judaism", adding, "We still believe that there's goodness in the world."{{cite web |last=Rozner |first=Lisa |date=2024-10-02 |title=Oct. 7 attacks top of mind as New Yorkers prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/rosh-hashanah-one-year-after-october-7th-attacks/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=CBS New York}} He noted an "increased urgency" among attendees of his program who were connecting to Israel more than they did previously.{{cite web |last=Schwartzberg |first=Rachel |date=2024-09-23 |title=The Great Jewish Awakening |url=https://jewishaction.com/religion/the-great-jewish-awakening/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Jewish Action}} Wildes commented that rising antisemitism after the attacks “exposed a raw nerve among assimilated American Jews".

• Beyond the Instant: Jewish Wisdom for Lasting Happiness in a Fast-Paced, Social Media World, Skyhorse Publishing, 2018. {{ISBN|978-1510731851}}Reviews of Beyond the Instant:
• {{cite web |date=2018-09-04 |title=Beyond the Instant: Jewish Wisdom for Lasting Happiness |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35756889-beyond-the-instant |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Goodreads}}
• {{cite web | last=Garrett | first=Lynn | title=Faith-Based Houses Are Here to Help | website=PublishersWeekly.com | date=2018-04-20 | url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/religion/article/76671-faith-based-houses-are-here-to-help.html | access-date=2025-03-03}}
• {{cite web | last=Zeitlin | first=Alan | title=Readers Should Take a Walk on the Wildes Side | website=Algemeiner.com | date=2018-06-25 | url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2018/06/25/readers-should-take-a-walk-on-the-wildes-side/ | access-date=2025-03-03}}
• {{cite web |last=Harrison |first=Donald H. |date=2018-04-09 |title=A Jewish guidebook for life's big questions |url=https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2018/04/09/a-jewish-guidebook-for-lifes-big-questions/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=San Diego Jewish World}}
• The 40 Day Challenge: Daily Jewish Insights to Prepare for the High Holidays, Kodesh Press, 2021. {{ISBN|978-1947857674}}Reviews of The 40 Day Challenge:

• {{cite journal |last1=Isaac |first1=Fred |date=September 1, 2022 |title=40-Day Challenge |url=https://jewishlibraries.org/book-review-index/ |journal=AJL News & Reviews |volume=3 |issue=2 |page=167}}
• {{cite web |date=2021-06-09 |title=The 40 Day Challenge |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58530913-the-40-day-challenge |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Goodreads}}
• "When It Comes To Dating, Chats Beat Apps Every Time", The Forward{{cite web |last=Wildes |first=Mark |date=2017-06-30 |title=When It Comes To Dating, Chats Beat Apps Every Time |url=https://forward.com/opinion/375636/when-it-comes-to-dating-chats-beat-apps-every-time/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=The Forward}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.markwildes.com/ Personal website]
• [https://the-wildescast.simplecast.com/ Wildescast podcast]
• [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/exploring-hate/2020/01/16/in-depth-look-at-anti-semitic-attacks-in-nyc/ PBS Metrofocus]

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Category:Living people

Category:People from Forest Hills, Queens

Category:Rabbis from New York City

Category:Columbia University alumni

Category:Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law alumni

Category:Yeshiva University alumni

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:20th-century American rabbis

Category:21st-century American rabbis

Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers

Category:21st-century American male writers

Category:American male non-fiction writers

Category:American religious writers

Category:Jewish American writers

Category:Writers from Queens, New York