Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz
Encyclopedia
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz is one of North America’s foremost experts on the intricate art of kosher food production and a key part of Manischewitz
, the continent’s leading kosher brand (MacLean’s 12/08/2008). He serves as chief supervising rabbi of the Manischewitz group of companies on behalf of the Orthodox Union
. Rabbi Horowitz is a fourth generation American Chasidic rabbi, a scion of the Bostoner Chasidic Dynasty
and the founder of the American Jewish Legacy, a nonprofit research organization that promotes Jewish heritage in the United States. Rabbi Horowitz is also an educator, pulpit rabbi and lecturer on the American Jewish experience. He is a noted expert in Jewish law as regards the Kosher Code especially the production of Matzo
for Passover.
hundreds of important rabbis and leaders in the last 150 years.
, a post which he accepted. From that time forward the Bostoner Rebbe, as he was called, was a dynamic force and a vocal spokesperson for the traditional Chasidic Jewish way of life throughout New England and the United States. As such he was among the first Chasidic rebbes to function in the U.S. and the first to use an American city in his title. He became well
known for his love of his fellow Jew and his uncompromising adherence to the highest standards of rabbinic law. As such he united under his leadership immigrants hailing from different Chasidic backgrounds and communities. They saw the Bostoner Rebbe as their leader in the New World. In the classic Chasidic tradition, he traveled to many Jewish communities throughout the northeast, spending special weekends infusing spirituality and Chasidic warmth in the lives of many Jews. Religious Jews from as far as San Francisco would travel to Boston to spend Sabbath and the holidays with their Rebbe (Chasidic leader). In 1939 Rabbi Pinchas D. Horowitz relocated his congregation to the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, remaining there until his passing on November 28, 1941.
and a member of its Council of Torah Sages
, and was a founder of Yeshiva Torah Vo‐Da’ath. He worked with the Va’ad ha‐Hatẓalah
to help settle Jewish refugees in America during and after World War II.
, Ukraine, in 1933) succeeded his father (as per Chasidic tradition) as the Bostoner Rebbe of New York. He later founded the Bostoner community in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. Rabbi Chaim Avraham is a well known composer of contemporary Chasidic music; many of his compositions have been performed by leading Jewish music artists of the day. Andy Statman
, Cantor Sherwood Goffin and others credit him with being a major influence in their musical careers.
Additional Bostoner Chasidic communities are located in Flatbush, Lawrence and Monsey, New York; Edison, New Jersey; and Beitar, Israel.
For generations Horowitz rabbis of the Boston Chasidic family have inspired tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews in many towns and cities across the U.S., making it the best‐known native American Chasidic dynasty.
of radio station KFWB of Los Angeles and a close associate and friend of Jack and Harry Warner, founders of Warner Brother’s Studios. World War II began before Rabbi Adler could bring his wife and only daughter Miriam, from Jerusalem. Mr. Maizlish introduced a number of Hollywood personalities to his Orthodox Chasidic rabbi including Mrs. Edward G. Robinson, who helped provide assistance to bring the Rabbi’s family from Israel to Los Angeles in July 1944.
In 1954 Miriam Adler married Rabbi Chaim Avraham Horowitz, the present Bostoner Rebbe of New York and Ramat Bet Shemesh, giving birth to Yaakov Yitzchak in 1956. He was raised in his maternal grandparent’s home in the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
His oldest daughter is Chaya Shprintza, married to Moshe Yosef Twerski. His second daughter is Sara, married to Simcha Yaakov Markowitz. His third daughter is Devorah Chava, married to Asher Zalka Greenstein. His oldest son is Moshe, engaged to Esther Gitel Margulies. His next son is Alter Nathan Natha. His next son is Yosef Yehoshua Aaron. His two youngest daughters are Ruchel and Rivka peria.
(Chasidic Center of Nassau County) well known for its innovative youth programs and
community service projects.
in 1989, Rabbi Horowitz joined the Orthodox Union
(OU), the largest kosher food supervisory organization in the world. As Rabbinic Coordinator, he supervised the kosher food programs of Nestle Beverage, Smuckers and a number of other nationally recognized manufacturers of kosher products. He was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Ingredient Approval Registry, the system which currently maintains the kosher status of all ingredients found in over 8,000 OU supervised food facilities in 80 countries.
Rabbi Horowitz is one of the world experts of Passover Matzo (and author of the OU manual on this subject) and kosher food, having assisted in Matzo and matzo flour production around in Israel, England, Mexico, Argentina and the former USSR.
The American Jewish Legacy's Exhibit, From the Mountains to the Prairie- 350 Years of Kosher & Jewish Life in America 1654-2004, was created in connection with the 350th anniversary celebratiuon of Jewish settlement in America.
The AJL’s current exhibition, From the Mountains to the Prairie: 350 Years of Kosher & Jewish Life in America 1654‐2004, is on national tour and has received academic and popular acclaim from the scholarly community, lay leaders, and the media – including the New York Times. The next stop on the national tour will be in Columbus, Ohio (April through
June 2010).
The AJL has also assumed responsibility for the reprint of several important works dealing with the history of the Orthodox Jewish community in the U.S.
In 2007 the Manischewitz Company commissioned the AJL to produce a series of American Jewish History panels which appeared on over one million Passover Matzo boxes. These panels publicized the commitment of the American Jewish community to the kosher laws and religious observance throughout its history.
Manischewitz
Manischewitz is a leading brand of kosher products based in the United States, best known for their matzo and wine. Founded in 1888 and under family control until 1990, it is the world's largest matzo manufacturer and one of America's largest kosher brands....
, the continent’s leading kosher brand (MacLean’s 12/08/2008). He serves as chief supervising rabbi of the Manischewitz group of companies on behalf of the Orthodox Union
Orthodox Union
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...
. Rabbi Horowitz is a fourth generation American Chasidic rabbi, a scion of the Bostoner Chasidic Dynasty
Boston (Hasidic dynasty)
Boston is a Hasidic sect, originally established in 1915 by Grand Rabbi Pinchas Duvid Horowitz. Following the custom of European Chassidic Courts, where the Rebbe was called after the name of his city, Bostoner Chassidus was named after Boston, Massachusetts...
and the founder of the American Jewish Legacy, a nonprofit research organization that promotes Jewish heritage in the United States. Rabbi Horowitz is also an educator, pulpit rabbi and lecturer on the American Jewish experience. He is a noted expert in Jewish law as regards the Kosher Code especially the production of Matzo
Matzo
Matzo or matzah is an unleavened bread traditionally eaten by Jews during the week-long Passover holiday, when eating chametz—bread and other food which is made with leavened grain—is forbidden according to Jewish law. Currently, the most ubiquitous type of Matzo is the traditional Ashkenazic...
for Passover.
Horowitz family in Jewish history
The Horowitz family is one of the most illustrious rabbinic families in Jewish History. Tradition quoted by scholars traces this family to the “Sons of Korach” quoted in the Bible (Numbers 26:11) and in Psalms 47. A family tree exists which traces Horowitz origins back to the 12th century. This family produced some of the greatest rabbinic scholars (Sephardic) of France and Italy in the 12, 13, and 14th centuries. The Sephardic surname of this family was BenVeniste, which was later changed to Horowitz upon their immigration to the town of Horowitz (near Prague) in the German province of Bohemia in the 16th century. From that time forward prominent rabbis of this family were found in virtually every European country. In the 18th century, two rabbis of this clan, Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke and Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz, joined the Chasidic movement. A branch of this family, related to the Chasidic dynasty of Lelov, immigrated to Palestine and were amongst the first Chasidim settling in Jerusalem in 1851. The Horowitz family producedhundreds of important rabbis and leaders in the last 150 years.
Rabbi Pinchas Dovid Horowitz
Rabbi Pinchas Dovid Horowitz, (b. 1876, d. November 28, 1941) native of Jerusalem, was sent as a representative and arbitrator by the Jerusalem community to Russia in an important European rabbinic dispute. The outbreak of World War I prevented his return to Palestine. After a series of adventures, he found himself in the city of Boston, Massachusetts in the year 1915. Recognizing his piety, scholarship, charisma and distinguished Chasidic lineage, the Chasidic segment of the Jewish community of Boston asked him to become their Chasidic leader and rebbeRebbe
Rebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
, a post which he accepted. From that time forward the Bostoner Rebbe, as he was called, was a dynamic force and a vocal spokesperson for the traditional Chasidic Jewish way of life throughout New England and the United States. As such he was among the first Chasidic rebbes to function in the U.S. and the first to use an American city in his title. He became well
known for his love of his fellow Jew and his uncompromising adherence to the highest standards of rabbinic law. As such he united under his leadership immigrants hailing from different Chasidic backgrounds and communities. They saw the Bostoner Rebbe as their leader in the New World. In the classic Chasidic tradition, he traveled to many Jewish communities throughout the northeast, spending special weekends infusing spirituality and Chasidic warmth in the lives of many Jews. Religious Jews from as far as San Francisco would travel to Boston to spend Sabbath and the holidays with their Rebbe (Chasidic leader). In 1939 Rabbi Pinchas D. Horowitz relocated his congregation to the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, remaining there until his passing on November 28, 1941.
Rabbi Moshe Horowitz
Rabbi Moshe Horowitz (1913 – 1985) assumed his father’s mantle of leadership. Rabbi Moshe Horowitz, born in Jerusalem, was the elder son of Rabbi Pinchas and the first Chasidic Rebbe to succeed his father in America, establishing the Bostoner dynasty. He established a Bostoner Beis Medrash in Crown Heights and later in Boro Park, was active in the formation of Agudath Israel of AmericaAgudath Israel of America
Agudath Israel of America , is a Haredi Jewish communal organization in the United States loosely affiliated with the international World Agudath Israel.-Functions:...
and a member of its Council of Torah Sages
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah refers to the supreme rabbinical policy-making council of any of several related Haredi Jewish organizations....
, and was a founder of Yeshiva Torah Vo‐Da’ath. He worked with the Va’ad ha‐Hatẓalah
Vaad Hatzalah
Vaad Hatzalah was an organization to rescue Jews in Europe from the Holocaust.It was founded in November 1939 by the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada...
to help settle Jewish refugees in America during and after World War II.
Rabbi Chaim Avraham Horowitz
Following Rabbi Moshe Horowitz's death, his eldest son Rabbi Chaim Avraham (born in ZhydachivZhydachiv
Zhydachiv is a city in Lviv Oblast in western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhydachivskyi Raion , and is located at around ....
, Ukraine, in 1933) succeeded his father (as per Chasidic tradition) as the Bostoner Rebbe of New York. He later founded the Bostoner community in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. Rabbi Chaim Avraham is a well known composer of contemporary Chasidic music; many of his compositions have been performed by leading Jewish music artists of the day. Andy Statman
Andy Statman
Andy Statman is a noted Klezmer clarinetist and bluegrass/newgrass mandolinist.Andy Statman was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He first gained acclaim as a mandolinist in pioneering bluegrass bands Country Cookin' and Breakfast Special. Statman, who grew up in a traditional but secular Jewish...
, Cantor Sherwood Goffin and others credit him with being a major influence in their musical careers.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Horowitz
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak (1921–2009), the younger son of Rabbi Pinchas D., was the Bostoner Rebbe of Boston. Upon his marriage and ordination at Yeshiva Torah Vo‐Da’ath in 1944, he moved to Boston to reestablish the Bostoner Chasidic Congregation in that city and founded the New England Chasidic Center. He became a leader in the Ba’al Teshuvah (Return to Judaism) Movement, giving special attention to Boston’s large Jewish university population. He founded Rofeh International, which continues to provide referral, counseling, and hospitality services for medical patients and their families. He is a member of the Council of Torah Sages of Agudath Israel of America, and established a Bostoner community in the Har Nof section of Jerusalem. At the time of his passing, he resided both in the U.S. and in Israel spending half a year in each country. Day to day leadership in his community had already passed on to his children.Additional Bostoner Chasidic communities are located in Flatbush, Lawrence and Monsey, New York; Edison, New Jersey; and Beitar, Israel.
For generations Horowitz rabbis of the Boston Chasidic family have inspired tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews in many towns and cities across the U.S., making it the best‐known native American Chasidic dynasty.
Transplanting a Chasidic dynasty to Los Angeles: Rabbi Eliezer Adler—Zviller Rebbe
In early June 1938 another member of Jerusalem’s Chasidic community, immigrated to America and settled in the West Adams section of Los Angeles, California; later relocating to the Beverly-Fairfax area of West Hollywood. For sixty‐nine years, Rabbi Eliezer Adler (d. February 27, 2007) served the Jewish community of Los Angeles and became a beloved and revered figure. His home was a source of hospitality and his assistance critical to many immigrants who settled in Los Angeles after World War II. One of Rabbi Adler’s early staunch supporters was Mr. Harry Maizlish, general manager, later owner (1950 – 1958)of radio station KFWB of Los Angeles and a close associate and friend of Jack and Harry Warner, founders of Warner Brother’s Studios. World War II began before Rabbi Adler could bring his wife and only daughter Miriam, from Jerusalem. Mr. Maizlish introduced a number of Hollywood personalities to his Orthodox Chasidic rabbi including Mrs. Edward G. Robinson, who helped provide assistance to bring the Rabbi’s family from Israel to Los Angeles in July 1944.
In 1954 Miriam Adler married Rabbi Chaim Avraham Horowitz, the present Bostoner Rebbe of New York and Ramat Bet Shemesh, giving birth to Yaakov Yitzchak in 1956. He was raised in his maternal grandparent’s home in the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
Education, marriage, early career, and children
After studying in a number of Talmudic seminaries including Beth Medrash Gevoha of Lakewood, New Jersey, Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz was ordained and married Chansie, the daughter of Rabbi Alter Yitzchak Weinberger in 1980. Rabbi Weinberger, also a descendant of distinguished rabbinic families, was a prominent communal leader in Turka, Ukraine and assisted many refugees during and after World War II.His oldest daughter is Chaya Shprintza, married to Moshe Yosef Twerski. His second daughter is Sara, married to Simcha Yaakov Markowitz. His third daughter is Devorah Chava, married to Asher Zalka Greenstein. His oldest son is Moshe, engaged to Esther Gitel Margulies. His next son is Alter Nathan Natha. His next son is Yosef Yehoshua Aaron. His two youngest daughters are Ruchel and Rivka peria.
The establishment of the Chasidic Center of Nassau County
In 1992 Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz founded the Bostoner Bais Medrash of Lawrence(Chasidic Center of Nassau County) well known for its innovative youth programs and
community service projects.
The Committee for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases
Rabbi Yaakov Y. Horowitz joined Dor Yesharim, the Committee for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, in 1986 as Director of Development. His work included publicizing the important work of this organization.The Orthodox Union
Beginning his rabbinical work in the field of kosher food supervision (KashrusKashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
in 1989, Rabbi Horowitz joined the Orthodox Union
Orthodox Union
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...
(OU), the largest kosher food supervisory organization in the world. As Rabbinic Coordinator, he supervised the kosher food programs of Nestle Beverage, Smuckers and a number of other nationally recognized manufacturers of kosher products. He was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Ingredient Approval Registry, the system which currently maintains the kosher status of all ingredients found in over 8,000 OU supervised food facilities in 80 countries.
Specialist in Passover food supervision
Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz joined the Manischewitz Food Company in 1996, where he represents the OU as Company Rabbi and Director, Kosher Development Operations, Systems and Marketplace of the Manischewitz Companies; these include Rokeach, Season, Horowitz‐Margareten, Goodman’s, Mishpacha, Mother’s, Carmel and a number of other well known kosher brands. In 2007 Manischewitz relocated from Jersey City to a newly renovated Manischewitz/Rokeach Newark production facility. This facility includes the world’s state‐of‐the‐art Matzo production line constructed at a cost of over 14 million dollars. Its unique kashruth design criteria was formulated and implemented by Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz. This new facility is the most kosher intensive operating environment on the globe.Rabbi Horowitz is one of the world experts of Passover Matzo (and author of the OU manual on this subject) and kosher food, having assisted in Matzo and matzo flour production around in Israel, England, Mexico, Argentina and the former USSR.
American Jewish history
Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz founded the American Jewish Legacy (AJL) in 1998. The AJL is a national effort to preserve and document the unique, rich history of traditional Jewish congregations, individuals, rabbis and communities in the United States from Colonial times to the present. Working with noted academics, educational institutions, public and private archives, regional and national historic organizations across the country and abroad, the AJL has initiated projects and activities which seek to save this important historical resource and to gather archival information which is in imminent danger of being lost. The AJL also seeks to publicize the role Orthodox Jews played in the historical development of the American Jewish community.The American Jewish Legacy's Exhibit, From the Mountains to the Prairie- 350 Years of Kosher & Jewish Life in America 1654-2004, was created in connection with the 350th anniversary celebratiuon of Jewish settlement in America.
The AJL’s current exhibition, From the Mountains to the Prairie: 350 Years of Kosher & Jewish Life in America 1654‐2004, is on national tour and has received academic and popular acclaim from the scholarly community, lay leaders, and the media – including the New York Times. The next stop on the national tour will be in Columbus, Ohio (April through
June 2010).
The AJL has also assumed responsibility for the reprint of several important works dealing with the history of the Orthodox Jewish community in the U.S.
In 2007 the Manischewitz Company commissioned the AJL to produce a series of American Jewish History panels which appeared on over one million Passover Matzo boxes. These panels publicized the commitment of the American Jewish community to the kosher laws and religious observance throughout its history.