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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 8 Collections and/or Records:

Hurwitz Family Oral History

 Digital Record
Identifier: hurwitz family_1993

Hurwitz Family (Rabbi Isaac, David, Jacob, and Morris, Raymond), 1891 - 1998

 File — Folder 3
Scope and Contents This file has a variety of items, from newspaper articles to passports to oral histories of the Hurwitz Family. Note that it seems like there may be two different Hurwitz families, one connected to Rabbi Isaac Hurewitz/Hurwitz and another consisting or Morris and Raymond and their families. Most of the information is connected to Isaac Hurewitz/Hurwitz's family. This Hurwitz family has several family trees that map out the generations.The oral history focuses on life in the home...
Dates: 1891 - 1998

Hurwitz, Joe_2008, Oral History

 Digital Record
Identifier: hurwitz, joseph_2008
Dates: March 4, 2008

Hurwitz, Joe_2008, Oral History, March 4, 2008

 File — Box 38, Box: 973
Identifier: 0014 001 001973
Scope and Contents

This interview focuses on Joe's grandfather Rabbi Isaac Hurewitz (also spelled Hurwitz), an early leader of the Hartford Jewish community. He also reflects on life growing up in Hartford, particuialrly focusing on Keney Park. He also touches on his war service in Korea and that of some of his other family members.

The interview is somewhat disjointed and repetitious, in part because of the way it was transcribed, but also because Hurwitz started repeating himself.

Dates: March 4, 2008

Hurwitz, Joseph, 1955 - 2008

 File — Folder 3
Scope and Contents The 2004 interview focuses on Hurwitz's time in the Korean War as well as his involvement in the Hartford Jewish community and the Federation. The additional materials in the file speak to these topics and well.The topics covered in the 2006 interview include: Family history/his children. His childhood growing up Jewish in Hartford. His grandfather Rabbi Isaac Hurwitz (Hurewitz). his Bar Mitzvah at the Emanuel in Hartford. Zionism in Connecticut. Emanuel renting out space in...
Dates: 1955 - 2008

Hurwitz, Joseph_2006

 Digital Record
Identifier: hurwitz, joseph_2006
Dates: 1955 - 2008

Kemler, Leonard M.D., 1920 - 2001

 File — Folder 3
1993 Interview The topics covered in this interview are: Childhood/growing up Jewish in Hartford, being raised by grandparents after the death of his mother, founding of Emanuel and discussion of some of the spiritual leaders, served in Navy in WWII and was unofficial Jewish chaplain, medical residency/medical school, meeting his wife Joan, talks about his two children David and Louise, opening practice in Hartford as thoracic surgeon, work in various area hospitals, bias against Jewish doctors at Hartford...
Dates: 1920 - 2001

Kemler, R. Leonard_1993/05/11, Oral History, May 11, 1993

 Item — Box 26, Box: 489
Identifier: 489
Interview The topics covered in this interview are: Childhood/growing up Jewish in Hartford, being raised by grandparents after the death of his mother, founding of Emanuel and discussion of some of the spiritual leaders, served in Navy in WWII and was unofficial Jewish chaplain, medical residency/medical school, meeting his wife Joan, talks about his two children David and Louise, opening practice in Hartford as thoracic surgeon, work in various area hospitals, bias against Jewish doctors at Hartford...
Dates: May 11, 1993

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