Ron Yitzchok Eisenman

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Rabbi
Ron Yitzchok Eisenman
Personal
Born1959
Brooklyn, New York
ReligionJudaism
DenominationOrthodox
Alma materYeshivah of Flatbush
Yeshiva University
Yeshivat Har Etzion
OccupationProfessor
PositionRabbi
SynagogueCongregation Ahavas Israel
Began1997
ResidencePassaic, New Jersey
SemikhahJoseph B. Soloveitchik

Ron Yitzchok Eisenman (Hebrew: רון יצחק אייזנמן; born 1959) is an American Orthodox rabbi, teacher and author. The long-time rabbi of Congregation Ahavas Israel in Passaic, New Jersey, Eisenman is a professor at Lander College For Women (a division of Touro College), and a contributor to Mishpacha, a Jewish magazine.

Eisenman has been outspoken in his support and defense of Orthodox sex abuse victims.

Early life[edit]

Ron Yitzchok Eisenman was born to an Orthodox Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, where he was also raised.[1] After attending the Yeshivah of Flatbush high school, he studied at Yeshiva University (YU). In 1979, following his second year there, Eisenman traveled to Israel in order to study at Yeshivat Har Etzion, coming under the wing of its leader, Aharon Lichtenstein. Eisenman, who used to carry the rabbi's sefarim (books) for him to the shiur (class), later said that Lichtenstein was one of the unique individuals who left a profound impact on him.[2][3]

Eisenman returned to the United States, where he received semikhah (rabbinic ordination — "Yoreh Yoreh") from Joseph B. Soloveitchik of YU, and "Yadin Yadin" from the Kollel L'dayanus of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.[4] He later went on to study at other yeshivas and kollelim in the United States and Israel.[4]

Career[edit]

In 1997, Eisenman was appointed as the rabbi of Congregation Ahavas Israel in Passaic, New Jersey.[5][4] Under his leadership, the synagogue had grown to the point where it hosted forty minyanim (prayer groups) a day,[6][7] catering to the needs of 250 families in 2009. With a following of approximately one quarter of Passaic's Jewish population, he was one of the most prominent rabbis in the city.[8] Eisenman has taught at Bruriah High School and at Bais Yaakov. He teaches as a professor at Lander College For Women, a division of Touro College.[6]

Eisenman is a popular columnist for Mishpacha, a Jewish magazine, and has authored several books.[9][10][11] A prolific speaker, he acts as a scholar-in-residence.[9]

In May 2021, Eisenman falsely characterized an Orthodox charity campaign as a scam that was connected to an interfaith organization. The error occurred because the name of the Jewish charity, the International Jewish Chesed Foundation (IJCF) pointed to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) when entered into a search engine. Eisenman also stated that his suspicion was aroused due to the location of the Jewish charity being in Delaware, apparently not aware of how that state's tax laws were attractive to non-profits. While he later issued an apology letter, he nevertheless abstained from endorsing the charity.[12]

Advocacy for sexual abuse victims[edit]

Soon after taking the pulpit in the late 1990s, Eisenman has been outspoken in his support and defense of Orthodox sex abuse victims.[8][13] A self-proclaimed "anti-establishment" figure, and a "Maverick" to others, he organized a special panel in 2009 to address the issue, receiving pushback from some corners of the community.[8] He has insisted that sexual abuse should be promptly reported to the police.[14] In the wake of sexual assault allegations surrounding Haredi children's author Chaim Walder, Eisenman published a strong letter condemning Walder, even encouraging people to throw his books out of the house. Eisenman's intention was to stave off any further emotional damage to Walder's victims.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Eisenman lives with his family in Passaic. His married children live in New York and Israel.[6]

Works[edit]

  • The Elephant in the Room: Torah, Wisdom, & Inspiration for Life (2012)[9]
  • For Everything a Time: A Journey Through the Year (2013)[10]
  • Shul with a View: A Rabbi's Personal Journal (2018)[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Eisenman, Ron Yitzchok (2013). For Everything a Time: A Journey Through the Year. Mosaica Press. ISBN 978-1-937887-11-7.
  2. ^ Eisenman, Ron Yitzchok (Fall 2015). "A Gentle Giant of Torah". Jewish Action. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. ^ Eisenman, Rov Yitzchok (7 April 2020). "The Omer and Rav Aharon". Jewish Link. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Eisenman, Ron Yitzchok (2013). For Everything a Time: A Journey Through the Year. Mosaica Press. ISBN 9781937887117. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman". Mishpacha. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "Powerful Letter from Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman of Passaic about the Chaim Walder Case". VINnews. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman". Torah Anytime. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Lipman, Steve (11 November 2009). "A Haredi Town Confronts Abuse From The Inside". The New York Jewish Week. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c Eisenman, Ron Yitzchok (2012). The elephant in the room : Torah, wisdom, & inspiration for life. Jerusalem: Mosaica Press. ISBN 978-1-937887-00-1. OCLC 779849863.
  10. ^ a b Eisenman, Ron Yitzchok (2013). For everything a time : a journey through the year. [Jerusalem]. ISBN 978-1-937887-11-7. OCLC 851154126.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ^ a b Eisenman, Ron Yitzchok (2018). Shul with a view : a rabbi's personal journal. Brooklyn, NY. ISBN 978-1-4226-2217-9. OCLC 1135100638.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ (May 4, 2021) "Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman Issues an Apology and Clarification After Naming Chesed Fund Sefer Torah Campaign a Scam", Baltimore Jewish Life. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  13. ^ Leppek, Chris (May 13, 2010) "Protecting Our Children: A Passion of Rabbi Yitzchok Eisenman", Intermountain Jewish News. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  14. ^ Michael, Lesher (9 July 2014). Sexual abuse, shonda and concealment in Orthodox Jewish communities. ISBN 978-0-7864-7125-6. OCLC 946551684.
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