Rabbi Yakov Horowitz is an Orthodox

rabbi A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as ''semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of ...

, author, educator and advocate from

Monsey, New York Monsey (, yi, מאנסי, translit=Monsi) is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of Airmont, east of Viola, south of New Hempstead, and west of Spring Valley. ...

Early life

Horowitz was born to Shloime and Beile Horowitz. His father died when he was three years old. He was raised in a

Haredi Haredi Judaism ( he, ', ; also spelled ''Charedi'' in English; plural ''Haredim'' or ''Charedim'') consists of groups within Orthodox Judaism that are characterized by their strict adherence to '' halakha'' (Jewish law) and traditions, in opp ...

family in

Belle Harbor, New York Belle Harbor is a small residential neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, located on the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula, the southernmost area of the borough. Belle Harbor commonly refers to the area from Beach 126th to Be ...

. He studied in yeshivas including Mesivta Torah Vodaath. He developed a closed relationship with Rabbi

Avraham Yaakov Pam Avraham Yaakov Pam (1913 – August 16, 2001) was the ''rosh yeshiva'' of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn, New York. Biography Rabbi Pam began his career at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in 1938, when was appointed '' maggid shiur'' (Talmudic lecturer ...

Career

In 1982, Horowitz began teaching eighth grade boys in

Borough Park, Brooklyn Borough Park (also spelled Boro Park) is a neighborhood in the southwestern part of the borough (New York City), borough of Brooklyn, in New York City. The neighborhood is bordered by Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Bensonhurst to the south, Dyker Heigh ...

and later in

. In 1996, based on his experience as a teacher, he wrote a 4,500 word essay in ''

The Jewish Observer ''The Jewish Observer'' was an American Orthodox Jewish magazine published by the Agudath Israel of America, from 1963 until 2009. It was put on "hiatus" in 2009, with plans to restart once the finances of the magazine, affected by the economic ...

'' titled “An Ounce of Prevention” on the subject of at-risk teens in the community. The article shocked the Orthodox community and led to an invitation to address the 1996 National Conventions of

Agudath Israel of America Agudath Israel of America ( he, אגודת ישראל באמריקה) (also called Agudah) is an American organization that represents Haredi Orthodox Jews. It is loosely affiliated with the international World Agudath Israel. Agudah seeks to ...

and

Torah Umesorah The Torah (; hbo, ''Tōrā'', "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In that sense, Torah means the ...

. It also led to the founding of Project Y.E.S. in 1997, which he is the director of. In 1997, Horowitz founded a yeshiva, Yeshiva Darchei Noam, for teens. He worked with teens at risk for over 30 years. In the 1990s, Horowitz was a Fellow at the Mandel Institute's Senior Leadership Program. Horowitz is a member of the Curriculum Advisory Committee of The Institute for Day School Management of the

UJA-Federation of New York UJA-Federation of New York (United Jewish Appeal⁣ – ⁣ Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc.) is the largest local philanthropy in the world. Headquartered in New York City, the organization raises and allocates funds annuall ...

. Horowitz was a regular columnist for ''

The Jewish Press ''The Jewish Press'' is an American weekly newspaper based in Brooklyn, New York, and geared toward the Modern Orthodox Jewish community. It describes itself as "America's Largest Independent Jewish Weekly". ''The Jewish Press'' has an online ...

'' and '' Mispacha'' on topics including mental health, social problems, internet usage and child safety. Horowitz developed a children's book to educate children about sexual safety called "Let's Stay Safe" published by

Artscroll ArtScroll is an imprint of translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish perspective published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd., a publishing company based in Rahway, New Jersey. Rabbi Nosson Scherman is the general editor. ArtSc ...

that sold over 120,000 copies. The book has been translated into Hebrew and Yiddish and has sold thousands in those languages. Horowitz uses social media to warn about sex offenders within the Jewish community and how to avoid them. Horowitz was sued for defamation in Israel by a convicted sex offender for warning on social media of the danger the offender poses to children, likening it to a terrorist with a machete. The charge was ultimately rejected by a Jerusalem judge.

Awards

* Rockland Educator of the Year Award (2002) * Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education (2005) * Covenant Award for Exceptional Jewish Educators (2008)

External links

Bright Beginnings

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Horowitz, Yakov People from Monsey, New York Living people Date of birth missing (living people) American Haredi rabbis 21st-century American male writers 21st-century American non-fiction writers Writers from New York (state) American relationships and sexuality writers 1959 births