Rabbi Moshe Zvi Reicher, a law professor and activist, passed away after an illness on Sunday, Cheshvan 2, 5775.
He was 66 years old.
Reb Moshe was a highly respected and beloved member of the Bobov community, renowned international lawyer and professor of law, tireless dedicated activist for Jewish causes across the globe and a proud father of Chabad shluchim working in the Rebbe’s mosdos in Australia and America.
Raised in Melbourne, Australia, his Yeshiva studies took him to the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand (The Melbourne Yeshiva Gedola) and to Yeshivas Kol Torah, in Yerushalayim.
He was one of the leading international law and taxation experts in Australia trained at Monash University with advanced degrees from Melbourne University and Harvard Law School.
Professor Reicher was centrally responsible for the first legislation in Australia, and only the second in the world after New York, granting relatives of a deceased person a statutory right to object to the performance of an autopsy, and then to challenge the Coroner’s decision in the courts.
From 1995 to 2004, he was Representative to the United Nations of Agudath Israel World Organization, which has consultative status with the world body. In this capacity, he worked, at the legal and diplomatic levels, on promotion of international human rights, particularly freedom of religion.
He was also heavily involved in the protection and preservation of Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe and worked to protect Jewish schools and Synagogues threatened with closure, such as in Baku, Azerbaijan and in Kishinev, Moldova.
In recent years he was also Director of International Affairs of Agudath Israel World Organization, which is a constituent of the Claims Conference and the World Jewish Restitution Organization. In this capacity, he was heavily involved in Holocaust-era restitution, reparations and compensation, and the plethora of litigation arising therefrom, and was one of two principal co-authors of a major brief in the Swiss banks litigation. In this capacity he was also able to secure compensation and reparations for Torah institutions.
In recognition of his pioneering work on the legal dimension to the Holocaust, in January 2004, President Bush appointed Professor Reicher to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, which conducts the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, in Washington, DC, on which he served until 2008.
In January 2004, the Mayor of Saratoga, Florida, presented him with the Key to the City. In April, 2004, the City of Bayonne, New Jersey, proclaimed April 18 to be “Professor Harry Reicher Day”, and the two Houses of the New Jersey State Legislature passed a Joint Resolution applauding his work.
In recognition of his work he was recently awarded the prestigious fellowship to research at the Shoah Center USC. He was at the tail end of completing a College Textbook on the Holocaust to be published by Oxford Press.
Professor Reicher was a gifted orator, speaking often in exquisite Yiddish and then switching to the Queen’s English in perfect harmony. He was a Torah Scholar, giving a weekly Shiur at Kahal Yeshuois Chaim in Flatbush in the teachings of Chassidus. With sparks of humor and a small dose of his sheer brilliance, he kept the people at the Shiur in total awe.
Professor Reicher was a walking Kiddush Hashem blending his Yirei Shemayim and his total dedication to Yiddishkeit with the secular world; a feat not easily accomplished. He was able to skillfully dance in both worlds with grace and in perfect step. Never forgetting where he came from and what he stands for. He never compromised his ideals, morals or faith. He was true to his convictions and a “Chosid” in every respect.
He was also a much loved and respected Professor, with one student commenting: “To be in his class was a treat.” He won the Adjunct Teaching Award at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, a student voted award.
He was a humble spirit but had a generous heart, and was always available to those seeking his help. His dedication to Klal Yisroel in general, and to his community in particular, was his precious legacy. His sterling character and warm nature, his humility, sense of humor and his acts of kindness were his hallmark.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Chanie Reicher of Boro Park and his children Mr. Chaim Reicher of Melbourne, Australia; Mrs. Elisheva Engel of Melbourne, Australia; Mrs. Nechama Haskelevich of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Aharon Reicher of Boro Park.
He is also survived by his sister Mrs. Susie Engel of Yerushalayim.
The Levaya will take place today, Monday, in front of Bobov 1362 49th St. Brooklyn, NY at 10:30am, followed by burial on Har Hazeisim in Eretz Yisroel.
Shiva location:
Mrs. Chanie Reicher 174 Parkville Ave. Brooklyn, NY
Mrs. Susie Engel, Mr. Chaim Reicher, Mrs. Nechama Haskelevich will begin shiva at 174 Parkville Ave. Brooklyn, NY immediately following levaya until 4pm Monday and continue after burial in Israel at 2 Derech Haalon, Moshav Beit Zayit (Just below Har Nof)
Mrs. Elisheva Engel 2 Vadlure Ave. in Melbourne Australia
Aharon Reicher will begin in Beit Zayit Yerushalayim and continue in Boro Park.
Condolences via email may be sent to [email protected]
Boruch Dayan Haemes.
Harry was a man of many outstanding talents and both in Melbourne and in his time in America he dedicated his life to Chinuch and Jewish causes of great importance. While in Melbourne he was responsible in a large part to new legislation allowing the family of a deceased the right to refuse to have the “mandatory” autopsy. This was a huge contribution to the Australian Jewish community and that alone would have been an outstanding legacy, but when he went to live in America he continued in this vein tackling the most difficult task that could only be achieved… Read more »
A humble man and big loss on every level
I wish his wife and all his family long life
And hope they find some comfort in his gigantic
Achievements
Professor Reb Moishe Reicher ZL’ is a true loss to Klal Yisroel and to the rest of the world. He was a giant in his ways and so very humble at the same time. His rich vocabulary in Yiddish and in English glued his crowds mouse-quiet. He was an amazing public speaker, his words had everyone so very quiet, so well attended and most of all his speeches left a massive impact no matter where or when he spoke. When one heard one of his drashas or lectures you remembered it forever. I specifically remember his fiery speech in the… Read more »
Found him on YouTube..
Email [email protected]
You can address it personally to any of the aveilim.
Or ask for the family members email address.
Dear Mrs Reicher and Nechama
We are devastated for your tragic loss and can only hope that Hashem will comfort you now and always.
warmest wishes
Rivkie Ives nee Metal from Bnos Yisroel and Bais Rivka
Amazing man and excellent professor who simplified the world of international law at Touro. He will be sorely missed.
NB
BDE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
His wife was the beloved General Studies principal in Bais Rivkah on Bedford Avenue many years ago.
BDE
Prof Reicher A”H
was not a Levy.
Can you post emails of his children please?
Was he a Levi?need to know if he is related to a prominent Family in CH
Baruch dayan emes! He left an impact on this world. May Hashem comfort his family