Rafael Grossman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rabbi Rafael G. Grossman (23 November 1933 – 12 April 2018) was a noted American rabbi. For nearly three decades, he was the rabbi of Baron Hirsch Synagogue, an Orthodox congregation in Memphis, Tennessee, and one of the largest Orthodox congregations in the United States. Grossman was also the chairman of the Religious Zionists of America.[1]
Rafael G. Grossman grew up in Lakewood, New Jersey, and was a student of Rabbi Yisroel Zev Gustman.
Prior to Memphis "he held pulpits in San Antonio, New York City and New Jersey." In two of the four cities he founded a Jewish day school.[1]
He also helped found a Kollel in Fort Lee, NJ[2]
Over the course of his career, Grossman held leadership roles at some of the nation's most respected Jewish organizations. He was a past president of the Beth Din of America and the Rabbinical Council of America, Chairman of the Rabbinical Council International, Chairman of the National Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel Bonds, a member of the executive Board of the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America and a member of the Board of the Development Corporation of Israel. A recipient of the OU's National Rabbinic leadership Award, Rabbi Grossman was one of ten rabbis to be honored at the centennial celebration of the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America. He was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity honoris causa from Yeshiva University in New York.
