The Bostoner Rebbe, Levi Yitzhak Horowitz
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
The Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Horowitz, the first American-born Hasidic leader, died December 5. He never fully recovered from a heart attack that he suffered during the summer. He was 88.
Horowitz was born in Boston and led his family’s Hasidic dynasty from 1944. He began splitting his time between Boston and Israel after establishing a center in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood in 1984. Another center for younger followers was founded in Beitar Illit in 1999.
The rabbi was known for his outreach to college students in the Boston area. He was the founder of the Rofeh International, which provides referrals to medical specialists around the world as well as hospitality and kosher meals to patients in the Boston area.
Horowitz was sometimes also a political activist. In 1943, he marched on Washington to ask President Franklin D. Roosevelt to save the Jews of Europe from Hitler. In 2005 he came out strongly against the Gaza evacuation and visited the communities slated for destruction there to offer his support.
He was buried the night he died on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Horowitz is survived by his second wife and his five children.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
