New York, NY - Oct. 20, 2025 - Condolences for the death of Rabbi Mosher Hauer, zt”l, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union who passed away suddenly at the age of 60 over the Shemni Azeret holiday, continue to pour in from across the country and the world. President Donald Trump, President Isaac Herzog of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, religious leaders from many faiths, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, as well as leaders of other Jewish denominations, have written and spoken about Rabbi Hauer’s impact and legacy. The expressions of sorrow and the outpouring of memories is not surprising; as Rabbi Hauer labored tirelessly for the Jewish people, often partnering with a diverse array of leaders and communities to work toward common goals.
This week the OU leadership team and staff members gathered in New York and Jerusalem, with many others joining remotely, as well as having other dedicated conversations during these difficult days, to remember their leader, rabbi, colleague, and mentor.
Rabbi Hauer led most of the OU’s outward-facing activities, serving as its voice to the world.
This included dedicating countless hours and effort to advocating for the protection of Jews amid rising antisemitism since the Hamas-led murderous attacks and hostage-taking on Oct. 7, 2023, and ensuing war in Gaza. As the OU family grapples with the loss, they are also looking back on the impact that Rabbi Hauer made.
“Rabbi Hauer was an exemplar of what it meant to be a Torah Jew. Torah framed his life, and he used Torah to frame our lives,” said Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the OU, who spoke in both Jerusalem and New York. “I have lost a brother,” Joseph said, describing his close working relationship with Rabbi Hauer as they led the OU together for the past five years. He drew tears and smiles as he told a number of stories that highlighted Rabbi Hauer’s humility, faith, and passion.
OU President Mitchel Aeder described Rabbi Hauer as “a man of impeccable character, honesty and integrity. He had a calming demeanor, a soft and humble tone of voice, but he was unbending in his principles.From mentoring rabbis to working with other faith leaders, he developed warm relationships with everyone he worked with,” Aeder said. “This was part of who he was and it is why he could accomplish so much on behalf of the Jewish people and the OU. This organization has been around since 1898, but Rabbi Hauer, in partnership with Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, was an absolute game changer.”
Under his leadership, programs from Torah learning to community building in Israel to initiatives to combat loneliness, expanded. “Rabbi Hauer was so widely respected that he was able to take the OU into more communities. The banner of the OU is definitely higher today because of him,” Aeder added.
“His leadership was never about asserting control, but about creating space,” said Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, founding director of the OU Women's Initiative. “He led by listening, by integrating, by elevating others.”
He also worked to reaffirm support for Israel, while striving to bridge internal divides within the Jewish world.
“Rabbi Hauer didn’t just build bridges. He was a bridge,” said Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director of the OU in Israel. “He connected American Jews and Israeli Jews in many ways, both personal and communal. On the personal level, Rabbi Hauer constantly practiced the simple but profound act of truly listening.”
Speakers also touched on the guiding themes of Rabbi Hauer’s work and tireless schedule.
Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Chief Operating Officer of OU Kosher, observed “In every interaction that Rabbi Hauer had and every decision that he made was motivated by what does G-d want? And he knew that G-d wants us to act and effect change with modesty.”
“Rabbi Hauer woke up in the morning and began each day by asking ‘where am I needed the most?”, said Rabbi Yakov Glasser, OU Managing Director of Communal Engagement. “Sometimes it was the White House or the Knesset, the tables of Federation or the Conference of Presidents, and sometimes it was providing guidance and chizzuk (strength) and love to an individual rabbi, a struggling employee, or someone in pain that he encountered at Mincha.”
Joseph compared Rabbi Hauer’s life - cut short when there was so much more he planned to do - to that of Moshe Rabbenu, who, although he lived until 120, was never able to enter the Land of Israel, to complete his mission and goal. But, drawing on the now haunting words that Rabbi Hauer himself had used in a recent dvar Torah referring to Moshe Rabbenu’s death, Joseph attempted to find comfort in the idea that life is not about finishing every mission and project, but rather just continuing to work toward goals, and train and inspire others to continue our work when we are gone which is exactly what Rabbi Hauer did and what the OU will continue to do.
About the Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU), or Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.
