Anti-zionist Activist Chaim Tzvi Freiman Dies; Funeral Draws More Than 1,000

BROOKLYN – Chaim Tzvi Freiman, a longtime activist associated with the anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox group Neturei Karta, died in the United States on the Sabbath. He was 74.

Freiman, who lived in Manhattan, frequently referred to himself as “a man of Jerusalem,” despite residing in New York. He was widely regarded as an anti-Zionist and spent decades opposing the State of Israel in ideological campaigns that took him across the Jewish world.

At the same time, some associates said that in his earlier years Freiman worked quietly behind the scenes to promote dialogue and encourage peace between Israelis and Palestinians. According to people familiar with the matter, those private efforts were not aligned with the public posture of Neturei Karta, and the group’s central leadership distanced itself from him about 15 years ago.

Over the past decade, Freiman was a familiar presence in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he spent much of his day before returning to his Manhattan home in the evenings. During those years, he was also a frequent Shabbat guest in many Hasidic homes and a well-recognized figure at weddings and celebrations, where acquaintances said he attended simply to bring joy to families.

For many years, Freiman was also a recognizable presence in the village of Kiryas Joel, where he stayed in numerous homes and formed friendships within the Satmar community, according to people familiar with his activities.

Beyond his political activism, Freiman was well known to generations of Orthodox Jewish youth in the 1990s. He was a fixture for many years at summer camps across the United States, working as a lifeguard and swim instructor. A competitive swimmer in his younger years, he was described by acquaintances as an Olympic-level swimmer, and students from more than a dozen camps recalled him as a familiar and respected presence during that era.

Born to Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Freiman, he never married and had no children. In his early years, he studied at Yeshiva University, later gravitating toward radical anti-Zionist ideology. His home was reportedly adorned with numerous posters reflecting Jerusalem-based ideological themes.

Freiman was also known for his unusually strong command of English, which associates said enabled him to articulate his views clearly in media appearances. That fluency led to multiple television interviews over the years in which he discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and anti-Zionist ideology with international audiences.

Despite his public profile, Freiman was viewed by some as a mysterious figure. Over the years, rumors circulated within fringe circles about his activities, including unsubstantiated claims that he had ties to Israeli intelligence. Those allegations were never supported by evidence and were rejected by people who knew him, but they contributed to an aura of intrigue surrounding his life.

Supporters described Freiman as personally modest and generous, saying he quietly donated from his own means to individuals and institutions aligned with his beliefs. He maintained a strong emotional and spiritual connection to Jerusalem, frequently wearing traditional Jerusalem-style clothing, which he viewed as a source of pride.

According to associates, Freiman also met on several occasions with Yasser Arafat, saying he sought to persuade the Palestinian leader to adopt what he viewed as a more constructive path toward peace.

For many years, he prayed during the High Holy Days at the Torah V’Yirah Beit Midrash in Mea Shearim, where he also funded synagogue improvements, including a marble ark. He later bequeathed his Manhattan apartment to the Torah V’Yirah institutions.

Despite living alone, those close to him said he avoided public recognition and preferred a quiet, unassuming life.

His funeral was held late Saturday night in Williamsburg, where more than 1,000 people attended, according to organizers. His body is being flown to Israel, where a funeral procession is scheduled for Monday at 1:45 p.m. from the Torah V’Yirah Beit Midrash on Baal HaTanya Street in Mea Shearim, followed by burial at Mount of Olives, in the Wolyn section.