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Hurewitz, Isaac S. , 1868-1935 (Rabbi)

 Person

Biographical Note

Rabbi. Born in Kovno, Russia, Oct. 9, 1868, son of Joseph Dov and Beila Hurewitz, he studied at the Yeshivot of Volozin and Slabotka. In 1892, he received his s'miha (rabbinical ordination) from the world re¬nowned scholar, Yitzhok Elhanan Spector of Kovno. He came to Hartford in 1893 and, in his long ministry of over 40 years, served the following congregations: Adas Israel, Agudas Achim, and Beth Hamedrash Hagodol (Garden St. Syngogue). In 1905, he was the editor of a bi-weekly, Yiddishe Shtimme (the Jewish Voice) which, in 1908, became a monthly publication. A recognized talmudic scholar, he was the author of the book Sefer Harrlitzvot which was published in Jerusalem in 1926.

Rabbi Hurewitz was the first East European Orthodox rabbi in Hartford and was instrumental in establishing its Jewish charitable and educational institutions. He was a charter board member of the United Jewish Charities in 1912 and of Mt. Sinai Hospital in 1923.

He died Dec. 30, 1935. Survivors: widow, Chana Hurewitz; sons, Dr. Herman M., Atty. Joseph, Aaron, Jacob (professor at Columbia Univ.), and Samuel M.; daughters, Mrs. Morris (Bessie) Sheketo, Mrs. Max (Rebecca) Feldman, Mrs. Abraham (Anna) Goldstein, Mrs. George (Rae) Ganz, Mrs. Walter (Freda) Jacobson, and Mrs. Rose Zelzer (Mrs. Herr, Tel Aviv). His first wife, Ida Aaronson Hurewitz, died in March 1932.

Grandfather to Joseph Huriwitz

From the Hartford Times editorial, Jan. 1, 1936. There is a void in the orthodox Jewish community today. A leader is gone a man of gentle nature who brought peace into many hearts and homes.

For more than 40 years Rabbi Isaac S. Hurewitz ministered to his people. He was not only their spiritual adviser but also their confidante. He was the scholarly Talmudist to whom they came for interpretations of law. He was arbiter and coun¬sellor for those who had business disagreements or domestic problems.

He came here in immigrant times, before the days of organized charities. Upon him fell the burden of obtaining help for newcomers. If an immigrant needed a pack to peddle; a poor man lost the horse that he needed to earn a living; a family was hungry it was to Rabbi Hurewitz that all turned. It is well known that he opened his home to many a needy wayfarer even when he had little for himself and his own. His family and his people may well be proud of his unique service, for it embodied those principles which make for a better community for all.

Citation:
Silverman, M. (1970) Hartford Jews 1659-1970. Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT.

Found in 9 Collections and/or Records:

Dambrov, Judy_1973; Kellin, Sophie_1973, Oral History, May 13, 1973

 Item — Box OHC-3, Box: 6, Box: 1
Identifier: 62a
Scope and Contents

Subjects of interview include: Family life in Hartford, teaching at a Hebrew school

Dates: May 13, 1973

Kellin, Sophie

 Digital Record
Identifier: dambrov and kellin_1973
Dates: May 13, 1973

Kellin, Sophie

 Digital Record
Identifier: kellin_1973
Dates: May 13, 1973

Kellin, Sophie, May 13, 1973

 File — Folder 3
Interview with Rabbi Okolica

Subjects of interview include: Family life in Hartford, teaching at a Hebrew school



Interview with Mike Kellin

Subjects of interview include: Parents, Growing up Jewish in Hartford, family, Religious celebration, Zionism

Dates: May 13, 1973

Kellin, Sophie_1973, Oral History, May 13, 1973

 Item — Box OHC-3, Box: 2, Box: 1
Identifier: 57
Scope and Contents

Subjects of interview include: Parents, Growing up Jewish in Hartford, family, Religious celebration, Zionism

Dates: May 13, 1973

Kellin, Sophie_1973/5/13, Oral History

 Digital Record
Identifier: kellin, sophie_1973/5/13
Dates: 1973 - 1973

Kriwitzky, Aaron

 Digital Record
Identifier: kriwitzky, a_1972

Kriwitzky, Aaron, undated

 File — Flat_file_folder 4
Scope and Contents Folder 1 includes: 3 copies of transcript; scanned information checklist; transcript abstract; draft of transcript abstract.Folder 2 Includes: News clippings; obituaries of Aaron Kriwizky and Ida Berkowitz Kriwitzky; Black and white photocopy of Die Zeit (March 1944 issue); Handwritten letter from the Kriwitzky family expressing gratitude for kinds words at memorial service Subjects Subjects include: Kriwitzky's early life in...
Dates: undated

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  • Subject: Teaching Hebrew in Hartford X

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