Yitzchak Dovid Grossman
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with his distant cousin Rabbi Dovid Grossman
Yitzchak Dovid Grossman (Hebrew: יצחק דוד גרוסמן, also known as the "Disco Rabbi"; born September 1946) is the Chief Rabbi of Migdal Ha'Emek, founder and president of Migdal Ohr, and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council.
town of Migdal Ha'Emek to provide the socio-humanitarian aid sorely needed there.
Migdal Ha'Emek had been established in 1953 as a development town designed to accommodate part of the great influx of Jewish immigrants from the North African countries. The town's population grew in size much faster than the evolving socio-economic and educational infrastructure. The resulting shortage of jobs and lack of sufficient school facilities and teachers had a devastating effect on the inhabitants. Migdal Ha'Emek quickly became known as one of the prime centers of criminal activity in Israel
.
Grossman's arrival on the scene was without fanfare. He had no welcoming committee and no mandate from the people or from the administration. He also had no budget nor staff or even an office. He joined in the conversations of idle youth hanging out on the street corners and, after gaining their confidence, began organizing private classes for them. But he knew that to get to the core of the problem, he would have to tackle it at its roots.
Grossman became a steady and frequent visitor at the town's discothèques and pubs, engaging the young clientele in dialogues. Slowly but surely the tough exteriors began to peel away and there began to surface the gentle side of the members of the new generation searching for their true identity.
The painstaking work was beginning to meet with significant achievements and public recognition. Grossman's reputation as "The Disco Rabbi" had been firmly set in the minds of the general public in all of Israel
who received regular reports from the communications media. He began visiting prisoners in Israel's jails giving them words of encouragement and providing them with young Rabbi's to teach them the beauty of the Torah
way of life.
Though official statistics showed that criminal activity began a downtrend in Migdal Ha'Emek, the town's residents didn't need statistics to show them how much the situation had improved. The cleaned-up atmosphere helped entice entrepreneurs to set up factories in the town's industrial zone and the unemployed regained their pride as jobs became available.
received his rabbinical ordination.
In 1969, only one year after Rabbi Grossman's arrival in Migdal Ha'Emek, he was unanimously elected to the position of Chief Rabbi of Migdal Ha'Emek, with lifetime tenure.
At age 23 he had thus become the youngest municipal Chief Rabbi in all of Israel
.
In 1972, Rabbi Grossman founded Migdal Ohr (Tower of Light). He began by caring for 18 orphaned and impoverished children, but the enterprise grew swiftly, its success surpassing all expectations. Before long, Migdal Ohr's educational and individualized approach to nurturing and motivating children had become a recognized model for turning street kids into scholars, professionals, and happy, productive citizens.
His charity work helps some 6,000 immigrants and orphans find a life outside crime, drugs, and alcohol.
At the national religious level, he was elected and subsequently re-elected as a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council - a body consisting of a handful of select municipal Chief Rabbis, which serves to advise Israel's Chief Rabbinate
.
At the public service level, he has visited Egypt
and has held meetings with Egyptian Ambassador to Israel
Mohammed Bassiouny regarding certain aspects of the relations between Israel and Egypt.
In 2008, On Israel's 60th Independence Day celebration, Rabbi Grossman was honored to light the first torch at the formal ceremony on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl
.
, Mr. Chaim Herzog
. It was a prize he well deserved. The dignitaries who attended the ceremony underlined Rabbi Grossman's unselfish, indiscriminate dedication to every single Jew, regardless of his stature or his religious or political commitments.
In March 1991, as a result of a nationwide survey, Migdal Ohr was awarded the Nivchar Heosar ("Best of the Decade") award and was acclaimed as the best educational network in Israel
for the past ten years.
In October 1991, Rabbi Grossman was chosen to be honored with the Tolerance Prize at a special ceremony in the Israeli Parliament. In the presence of prominent Government officials, the prize was presented by the Chairman of the Knesset
, Mr. Dov Shilansky
. Rabbi Grossman's accomplishments for the benefit of Israeli society, especially the underprivileged segment, were highly praised.
In 2004, Rabbi Grossman was awarded the Israel Prize
for his lifetime achievement and special contribution to society and the State of Israel, and for the success and acclaim attained by the Migdal Ohr Educational Institutions.
In 2006, Rabbi Grossman was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bar-Ilan University
for the contribution to the University, and for helping in promoting the University's goals.
under the inspirational leadership of its Founder and Leader, Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman.
"Rabbi Grossman is effectively rebuilding the Jewish nation which the Nazis tried so hard to destroy." - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Chabad center, who was murdered in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Dovid Grossman
Rabbi Dovid Grossman is a world-famous Talmudic lecturer.In his younger years, Grossman studied in The Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia under the tutelage of Rabbi Elya Svei and Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky. While en route to Israel, he also learned one Elul zman in a branch of the Novardok yeshiva in...
Yitzchak Dovid Grossman (Hebrew: יצחק דוד גרוסמן, also known as the "Disco Rabbi"; born September 1946) is the Chief Rabbi of Migdal Ha'Emek, founder and president of Migdal Ohr, and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council.
Early life
Grossman is a sixth generation Jerusalemite, born in 1946. A dramatic turning point in his life occurred in 1968 when he decided to move to the Lower GalileeGalilee
Galilee , is a large region in northern Israel which overlaps with much of the administrative North District of the country. Traditionally divided into Upper Galilee , Lower Galilee , and Western Galilee , extending from Dan to the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, along Mount Lebanon to the...
town of Migdal Ha'Emek to provide the socio-humanitarian aid sorely needed there.
Migdal Ha'Emek had been established in 1953 as a development town designed to accommodate part of the great influx of Jewish immigrants from the North African countries. The town's population grew in size much faster than the evolving socio-economic and educational infrastructure. The resulting shortage of jobs and lack of sufficient school facilities and teachers had a devastating effect on the inhabitants. Migdal Ha'Emek quickly became known as one of the prime centers of criminal activity in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
Grossman's arrival on the scene was without fanfare. He had no welcoming committee and no mandate from the people or from the administration. He also had no budget nor staff or even an office. He joined in the conversations of idle youth hanging out on the street corners and, after gaining their confidence, began organizing private classes for them. But he knew that to get to the core of the problem, he would have to tackle it at its roots.
Grossman became a steady and frequent visitor at the town's discothèques and pubs, engaging the young clientele in dialogues. Slowly but surely the tough exteriors began to peel away and there began to surface the gentle side of the members of the new generation searching for their true identity.
The painstaking work was beginning to meet with significant achievements and public recognition. Grossman's reputation as "The Disco Rabbi" had been firmly set in the minds of the general public in all of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
who received regular reports from the communications media. He began visiting prisoners in Israel's jails giving them words of encouragement and providing them with young Rabbi's to teach them the beauty of the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
way of life.
Though official statistics showed that criminal activity began a downtrend in Migdal Ha'Emek, the town's residents didn't need statistics to show them how much the situation had improved. The cleaned-up atmosphere helped entice entrepreneurs to set up factories in the town's industrial zone and the unemployed regained their pride as jobs became available.
Successful achievements and public recognition
In 1966, GrossmanGrossman
Grossman is a family name of Germanic and Jewish Ashkenazi origin .* Adam Grossman, guitarist and singer for the band Skrew* Albert Grossman, entrepreneur and manager in the American folk music scene...
received his rabbinical ordination.
In 1969, only one year after Rabbi Grossman's arrival in Migdal Ha'Emek, he was unanimously elected to the position of Chief Rabbi of Migdal Ha'Emek, with lifetime tenure.
At age 23 he had thus become the youngest municipal Chief Rabbi in all of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
His charity work helps some 6,000 immigrants and orphans find a life outside crime, drugs, and alcohol.
At the national religious level, he was elected and subsequently re-elected as a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council - a body consisting of a handful of select municipal Chief Rabbis, which serves to advise Israel's Chief Rabbinate
Chief Rabbinate of Israel
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel is recognized by law as the supreme halakhic and spiritual authority for the Jewish people in Israel. The Chief Rabbinate Council assists the two chief rabbis, who alternate in its presidency. It has legal and administrative authority to organize religious...
.
At the public service level, he has visited Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and has held meetings with Egyptian Ambassador to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
Mohammed Bassiouny regarding certain aspects of the relations between Israel and Egypt.
In 2008, On Israel's 60th Independence Day celebration, Rabbi Grossman was honored to light the first torch at the formal ceremony on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl
Mount Herzl
Mount Herzl , also Har HaZikaron , is the national cemetery of Israel on the west side of Jerusalem. It is named for Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism. Herzl's tomb lies at the top of the hill. Yad Vashem, which commemorates the Holocaust, lies to the west of Mt. Herzl....
.
Awards
In 1983, Rabbi Grossman was presented with the Coveted Love of Israel award by the President of IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Mr. Chaim Herzog
Chaim Herzog
Chaim Herzog served as the sixth President of Israel , following a distinguished career in both the British Army and the Israel Defense Forces .-Early life:...
. It was a prize he well deserved. The dignitaries who attended the ceremony underlined Rabbi Grossman's unselfish, indiscriminate dedication to every single Jew, regardless of his stature or his religious or political commitments.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
for the past ten years.
In October 1991, Rabbi Grossman was chosen to be honored with the Tolerance Prize at a special ceremony in the Israeli Parliament. In the presence of prominent Government officials, the prize was presented by the Chairman of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
, Mr. Dov Shilansky
Dov Shilansky
Dov Shilansky was an Israeli politician and Speaker of the Knesset from 1988 to 1992.-Biography:Dov Shilansky was born in Šiauliai, Lithuania. He survived the Holocaust and joined the Irgun, operating in Rome and Germany. He made aliyah in 1948, arriving in Israel on the Altalena, and served as a...
. Rabbi Grossman's accomplishments for the benefit of Israeli society, especially the underprivileged segment, were highly praised.
In 2004, Rabbi Grossman was awarded the Israel Prize
Israel Prize
The Israel Prize is an award handed out by the State of Israel and is largely regarded as the state's highest honor. It is presented annually, on Israeli Independence Day, in a state ceremony in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the...
for his lifetime achievement and special contribution to society and the State of Israel, and for the success and acclaim attained by the Migdal Ohr Educational Institutions.
In 2006, Rabbi Grossman was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University
Bar-Ilan University is a university in Ramat Gan of the Tel Aviv District, Israel.Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is now Israel's second-largest academic institution. It has nearly 26,800 students and 1,350 faculty members...
for the contribution to the University, and for helping in promoting the University's goals.
Plans
Today, Migdal Ohr is a Tower of Light, not only for Migdal Ha'Emek and the Galilee, but for all the children of IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
under the inspirational leadership of its Founder and Leader, Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman.
"Rabbi Grossman is effectively rebuilding the Jewish nation which the Nazis tried so hard to destroy." - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon is an Israeli statesman and retired general, who served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister. He has been in a permanent vegetative state since suffering a stroke on 4 January 2006....
See also
- article about Rabbi Grossman in the Jerusalem Post, Oct 6, 2006 http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193379119&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull
Family
Grossman is the uncle of Rivka Holtzberg, co-director of the Nariman HouseNariman House
The Nariman House , renamed as Chabad House , is a five-story landmark in the Colaba area in southern Mumbai, India. The building was home to a Chabad house, a Jewish outreach center run by Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, and they have owned the Building since around 2006. The center had an...
Chabad center, who was murdered in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
External links
- Official site in Hebrew
- Official site in English
- American Friends of Migdal Or home page
- Canadian Friends of Migdal Or home page
See also
- List of Israel Prize recipients