Chashmonaim, Israel - Oct. 22, 2025 - It’s super rare for me to have a Rabbinic leader and role model turn into a professional colleague (and role model), but such was the unbelievable privilege I had over the last few years with Rabbi Moshe Hauer ZT’L, who so tragically and suddenly passed away last week at 60.
I unfortunately missed Rabbi Hauer’s tenure as a Rav in Baltimore as he came in a few years after I graduated high school and had moved out of the city, but he quickly became a household name and star amongst my immediate family and many dear friends given everything he represented and accomplished…building one of the most beautiful קהילות in the city and I believe in the country; developing a level of closeness and camaraderie with his congregants that is super rare and likely unmatched; and carrying himself with a level of softness yet authority which endeared himself to the entire community across the spectrum of religious, cultural and political realms. And that was when I didn’t even know him.
Fast forward 25+ years when I was invited and given the special opportunity to be a part of the Board of OU Israel, an organization near and dear to my heart for everything it does to help so many diverse populations in Israel, including Anglos like me who have made aliya. Part of our efforts and involvement have included the unique זכות to spend significant time with the U.S.-based leadership of the mothership, the Orthodox Union. This included regular board meetings in Jerusalem, outings within Israel to OU supported programs, visits to the OU office in New York, shiurim in Jerusalem, NY and Baltimore, and a lot of ongoing connectivity.
Suddenly I found myself sitting alongside Rabbi Hauer, seeing him up close and in action, sharing our Baltimore connection but on the holy ground of Jerusalem, observing his kindness, grace and magnetic personality, feeling his presence, learning his Torah live and directly, and just trying to follow his lead as an incredible role model for thousands of us - how to engage with others, be impactful, treat people kindly, respect differences, carry oneself as a בן תורה in a professional world, and so much more.
I am at a loss for words at his sudden passing and my tears and heart continue to pour out for his family. He was one of my newer Rabbeim and he had an indelible impact on me that will certainly remain with me forever. I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity even for a glimpse to observe his גדלות up close, and I hope to be one of the many tens of thousands of his students who work hard to continue his legacy.
תהה נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים
Nice picture below of Rabbi Hauer זצ”ל with my Dad after a learning program on Erev Hoshana Raba in Jerusalem a few short years ago.
Powerful YouTube released by the OU in the last day and an article that just came out in Mishpacha that really captures his essence:
https://lnkd.in/d5G-8t89
https://lnkd.in/ddtijFJk
Chashmonaim, Israel - Oct. 22, 2025 - It’s super rare for me to have a Rabbinic leader and role model turn into a professional colleague (and role model), but such was the unbelievable privilege I had over the last few years with Rabbi Moshe Hauer ZT’L, who so tragically and suddenly passed away last week at 60.
I unfortunately missed Rabbi Hauer’s tenure as a Rav in Baltimore as he came in a few years after I graduated high school and had moved out of the city, but he quickly became a household name and star amongst my immediate family and many dear friends given everything he represented and accomplished…building one of the most beautiful קהילות in the city and I believe in the country; developing a level of closeness and camaraderie with his congregants that is super rare and likely unmatched; and carrying himself with a level of softness yet authority which endeared himself to the entire community across the spectrum of religious, cultural and political realms. And that was when I didn’t even know him.
Fast forward 25+ years when I was invited and given the special opportunity to be a part of the Board of OU Israel, an organization near and dear to my heart for everything it does to help so many diverse populations in Israel, including Anglos like me who have made aliya. Part of our efforts and involvement have included the unique זכות to spend significant time with the U.S.-based leadership of the mothership, the Orthodox Union. This included regular board meetings in Jerusalem, outings within Israel to OU supported programs, visits to the OU office in New York, shiurim in Jerusalem, NY and Baltimore, and a lot of ongoing connectivity.
Suddenly I found myself sitting alongside Rabbi Hauer, seeing him up close and in action, sharing our Baltimore connection but on the holy ground of Jerusalem, observing his kindness, grace and magnetic personality, feeling his presence, learning his Torah live and directly, and just trying to follow his lead as an incredible role model for thousands of us - how to engage with others, be impactful, treat people kindly, respect differences, carry oneself as a בן תורה in a professional world, and so much more.
I am at a loss for words at his sudden passing and my tears and heart continue to pour out for his family. He was one of my newer Rabbeim and he had an indelible impact on me that will certainly remain with me forever. I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity even for a glimpse to observe his גדלות up close, and I hope to be one of the many tens of thousands of his students who work hard to continue his legacy.
תהה נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים
Nice picture below of Rabbi Hauer זצ”ל with my Dad after a learning program on Erev Hoshana Raba in Jerusalem a few short years ago.
Powerful YouTube released by the OU in the last day and an article that just came out in Mishpacha that really captures his essence:
https://lnkd.in/d5G-8t89
https://lnkd.in/ddtijFJk
