Rabbi Moshe Hauer, who served as senior rabbi of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation in Park Heights for 26 years, died suddenly of a heart attack on Tuesday, Oct. 14, during the holiday of Shemini Atzeret. He was 60.
A Montreal native and the son of Holocaust survivors, Rabbi Hauer lived in Northwest Baltimore. He was the rabbi emeritus of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion.
Said the congregation’s Rabbi Daniel Rose: “Rabbi Moshe Hauer was our teacher, our guide, and our leader. Out of respect for the family, this news was not shared on Yom Tov. Tonight, we will mourn together and honor his memory.”
Since May of 2020, Rabbi Hauer served as executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, one of the nation’s largest Jewish organizations.
He served as the New York-based organization’s rabbinic leader, heading its communal-oriented efforts and serving as its professional religious/policy leader and primary spokesman.
“With tears in our eyes and hearts breaking, we share the devastating news of the loss of our beloved brother, rabbi, partner, friend, and Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l,” the OU said in a statement. “Rabbi Hauer was a true talmid chacham, a master teacher and communicator, the voice of Torah to the Orthodox community and the voice of Orthodoxy to the world. His leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, deep compassion, and a vision rooted in faith in Hashem, integrity, and love for Klal Yisrael.
“Whether through his inspiring words, thoughtful counsel, powerful advocacy, or quiet acts of kindness, Rabbi Hauer uplifted those around him and made an impact on every person he encountered.”
In a post on X, Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend, leader of the OU Rabbi Moshe Hauer — a true leader and teacher in the Jewish world. Each and every conversation I was privileged to have with him was so very meaningful and showed his warmth and kindness, and his unwavering love for Torah, Israel, Zionism, and the Jewish people. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, and the entire @OrthodoxUnion community.”
Rabbi Hauer was an exemplar of Modern Orthodoxy’s historical blend of religious and secular expertise. He was ordained and received his doctor of Talmudic Law at Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Northwest Baltimore. He received a master’s of science degree from Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering.
He was also the founding editor of Klal Perspectives, an online journal elevating Orthodox perspectives on contemporary issues.
In 2023, Rabbi Hauer testified about antisemitism on American college campuses at a hearing of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The hearing prompted investigations of several universities for allegedly failing to protect students from antisemitic harassment.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), who in 2023 worked with the OU to pass a Senate resolution condemning Hamas and campus antisemitism, issued a statement saying he was “deeply grieved by the death of my friend.”
“His sudden death is a tremendous loss to America and to friends of Israel everywhere,” Hawley said. “Rabbi Moshe was a man of remarkable integrity and kindness, and also foresighted leadership. He was a true and dear friend to me.”
In 2020, Rabbi Hauer met with Dr. Anthony Fauci, then director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in forming the OU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rabbi Hauer then urged congregations to exceed the government’s reopening guidelines.
In 2023, he denounced a rampage by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, saying, “We cannot understand or accept this.”
Rabbi Hauer served as a trustee of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore and was a member of the national council of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee.
In addition he was a member of the Rabbinical Council-Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore and the Rabbinical Council of America.
“I am shattered by the sudden passing of my dear friend and partner, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l,” wrote William C. Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “We just spoke this past Friday and texted on Monday, when he was overflowing with joy at the miracle of the hostages’ freedom and the unmistakable hand of Hashem in it. Rabbi Hauer was a trusted advisor, cherished colleague, and wise counselor to me, a bridge-builder whose faith, humility, and moral clarity inspired all who knew him. His loss leaves a deep void for all who loved and learned from him. May his memory forever be a blessing and an inspiration.”
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union of Reform Judaism, posted on social media, “With the sudden death of my friend, Rabbi Moshe Hauer z”l, the Jewish people has lost a sage. … Yes, we disagreed on so many issues but shared a profound respect and love for one another. … Rabbi Hauer’s humble leadership helped point the way for a more respectful and mutually responsible future for the Jewish people grounded in Torah.”
Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday night that she was so shocked to hear of Rabbi Hauer’s death that she texted him hoping the report was not inaccurate. She said she had just spoken to him last week, in the latest installment of an ongoing conversations that transcended their political and religious differences.
“Our very different realities came up over and over again. I loved learning how he lived his life, and he seemed to love learning how I lived mine. Difference, but mutual respect, was at the core of our deep friendship,” Katz wrote.
Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of the Aish HaTorah international outreach organization, said he was “shocked” to learn of Rabbi Hauer’s death.
“He was a kind man and a great advocate for the Jewish people,” Rabbi Burg said. “May the Almighty comfort his family and the OU during this difficult period.”
Rabbi Hauer is survived by his wife, Rebbetzin Mindi Hauer; his mother, Miriam Hauer; his sons Yissachar, Yehuda Leib and Shalom; his daughters Devorah Walfish, Batsheva Neuberger, Chana Schneiweiss and Rachel Hauer; and their spouses and numerous grandchildren.
The funeral took place on Thursday morning, Oct. 16, at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion. Interment will be on Friday, Oct. 17, at Har HaMenuchot Cemetery in Jerusalem, the OU said.
To watch the livestream of the funeral, visit https://www.ou.org/rabbi-hauer-levaya/.
In an article for the JTA global Jewish news source last month, Rabbi Hauer called for Jewish unity, particularly during challenging times.
“Our faith in God’s enduring commitment to the mission and destiny of the Jewish people is not blind faith. We are its proof,” he wrote. “The recent challenges, the hate that has targeted Jews in Israel and around the world, have not discouraged or alienated us; they have brought us home to God and to our people and community with hopes and prayers for a better world.”
The JTA global Jewish news source contributed to this report.
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