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RCA Mourns Death of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

RCA Mourns Death of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

February 1, 2021 – The Rabbinical Council of America, the leading membership organization of orthodox rabbis in North America, mourns the death of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, zt”l, on a day that saw the loss of three other great rabbinic leaders, Rabbi Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, Rosh Yeshivat Brisk; Rabbi Yitzchok Scheiner, Rosh Yeshivat Kamenitz; and Rav Avraham Moshe Avidan, former Rosh Yeshivat Shaalavim, zt”l.

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, zt”l–rabbi, psychiatrist, writer, and speaker– the scion of a Hassidic dynasty and founder of Gateways Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh and the Shaar Hatikvah Rehabilitation Center for prisoners in Israel, advanced the wellbeing of thousands in many areas, especially those of addiction, domestic violence, and mental health through his boldness and honesty in recognizing the profound human challenges faced by so many in our community. His bravery in addressing these issues enabled many who are suffering to feel recognized and validated in their struggles, and to be able to seek the help and support they need. We are a more honest and healthier orthodox community as a result. His many books and lectures were fountains of Torah wisdom, inspiring and encouraging generations of Jews.

Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, president of the RCA, said, “Through his accessible books on psychology and chassidut, as well as his pithy videos on the human condition, Rabbi Twerski was a fixture in hundreds of thousands of Jewish homes. How extraordinary was his ability to integrate with and make such meaningful contributions to the secular world of psychology. One of the tragedies of the Covid era is the proximity of all these deaths, which do not allow us to mourn each Torah luminary with the proper homage that he deserves. We hope that once we are beyond this pandemic, we will be able to better reflect on all our losses, appropriately articulate the unique contributions of each Torah leader, and eulogize each one appropriately.”

Mark Dratch
Mark Dratch
Rabbi Mark Dratch was appointed Executive Vice President of the RCA in September, 2012. In 2005, Rabbi Dratch founded JSafe: The Jewish Institute Supporting an Abuse Free Environment, an organization addressing issues of domestic violence, child abuse and institutional and professional improprieties in the Jewish community. He served as Instructor of Jewish Studies and Philosophy at the Isaac Breuer College of Yeshiva University from 2002-2012. Rabbi Dratch served as a pulpit rabbi for 22 years at Congregation Agudath Sholom, Stamford, CT; Shaarei Shomayim, Toronto; Kehillath Jesurun, New York, NY, and other pulpits. He served as both a Vice President and Treasurer of the RCA and a member of the Executive Board. He served as chair of Task Force on Rabbinic Improprieties, which worked to establish policies and guidelines for the RCA in dealing with allegations against one of its members, and was author of the Resolution on Rabbinic Improprieties. In addition to JSafe, Rabbi Dratch was involved in combatting abuse a member of the Leadership Council of the FaithTrust Institute, Seattle, WA, and is featured on a number of its training videos on issues of abuse in religious communities. He was a member of the Clergy Task Force of Jewish Women International and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Abuse and Religion. He served as Camp Rabbi at Camp Morasha and was a member of the Board of the American Friends of Nishmat. Rabbi Dratch served as the Orthodox Union's "Webbe Rebbe," answering “Ask the Rabbi” questions posed through their website. He has published many articles in scholarly, rabbinic and popular journals in English and Hebrew. Rabbi Dratch is a graduate of Yeshiva University (1979), its Ferkauf Graduate School (Jewish Education), Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (semicha) (1982), and Wurzweiler School of Social Work (MSW). He is married to Rachel Levitt Klein and is the proud father of four children, four stepchildren, and a grandfather of one.

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