Sami Rohr, Jewish philanthropist, dies at 86

MIAMI (AP) — Prominent Jewish philanthropist Sami Rohr has died in South Florida.

The Bal Harbour man was closely involved with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement of Judaism and is said to have given at least $250 million to Jewish causes around the globe. He was also the namesake of a $100,000 annual prize for Jewish literature.

A Chabad spokesman confirmed Rohr died Sunday at the age of 86. He was scheduled to be buried Tuesday at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Rohr was born in Berlin, but his family was forced to flee the Nazis. He ultimately settled in Colombia, where he amassed a fortune in real estate. His charitable work included Jewish community centers that Chabad leaders say helped lay groundwork for a rebirth of Judaism across the former Soviet Union.