By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz, Regional Director of the Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois who had a leadership position at Lubavitch Headquarters, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Adar II 2, 5774.
He was 59.
The tragic news came as a shock to the Jewish community in Chicago and the state, as well as the Chabad community worldwide and his colleagues on Shlichus.
Before undergoing routine gall bladder surgery on Tuesday, his colleagues wished him well and expected to hear from him soon after. Instead, they have been getting shocking phones calls about “tragic news” when he didn’t regain consciousness afterwards.
Moscowitz was born on the North Side of Chicago to Frank (Ephraim) and Cynthia (Tzivia) Moscowitz. In his youth, Moscowitz’s father, Frank—a longtime public-school teacher and principal—had studied in the Lubavitcher Yeshivah in Brooklyn, NY, Chabad.org reported.
Daniel and his younger brothers were sent to Bais Yaakov, a local Jewish day school. As a young teen, he attended the Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago. Following in his father’s footsteps, he then went on to study at Chabad yeshivahs in Montreal, Canada and Brooklyn. He was among the young students selected to serve as senior students at the Chabad yeshivah in Brunoy, France.
Shortly after his marriage to Esther Rochel Aronow, the newly ordained Rabbi Moscowitz headed back home to Chicago, where he joined Chabad representative Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht of Congregation Anshei Lubavitch and Head Shliach of the state.
After Rabbi Hecht’s passing, Rabbi Moscowitz was appointed to the role by Rabbi Mordechai Isaac Hodakov, Director of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch.
Under his leadership, Chabad of Illinois established some 37 new institutions around the state, holding large-scale and memorable events on Jewish holidays and throughout the year. He was the senior Rabbi at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook.
He served as President of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (CRC) and was a member of the Executive Committee of Merkos, the Chabad body that oversees the global Shlichus network, and of the International Kinus Hashluchim convention.
U.S. Senator Mark Kirk tweeted: “Saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and #Illinois leader Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz. May his memory be for a blessing.”
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Rochel Moscowitz, their children Mrs. Sterna Sarah Newman – Crown Heights; Rabbi Meir Shimon Moscowitz – Northbrook, IL; Rabbi Yosef Shmuel Moscowitz – Bucktown, IL; Rabbi Yehoshua Zelik Moscowitz – Northbrook, IL; Mrs. Chana Teldon – Northbrook, IL; Mrs. Rivka Sternberg – Montreal, Canada; Mrs. Chava Kagen – Chicago, IL; Rabbi Leibel Moscowitz – Chicago, IL; and Mrs. Chaya Mushka Hecht – Brooklyn, NY; and grandchildren.
He is also survived by his parents, Rabbi Efraim and Tzivia Moscowitz – Chicago, IL; and brothers Rabbi Moshe Moscowitz – Chicago, IL; Eli Moscowitz – Brussels, Belgium and Rabbi Mendel Moscowitz – Chicago, IL.
The levaya will take place at Congregation Bnai Ruven in Chicago on Wednesday, at 11:00 AM. Upon his request to family members, he will be buried at the Lubavitch section of the Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park, IL.
The family will be sitting shiva at 1025 Landwehr Road in Northbrook.
Baruch dayan haemes.
So sorry to read this. Came by it after reading another tragic story recently about the murder of Eliyahu Moscowitz, HYD. Don’t know if they were related. As a child in Chicago, my father Dr. Myron Jacobson would go to the monthly farbrengens led by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht ZTL. I have fond memories of hosting in our home every year, and of Frank Moscowitz and many other regulars attending. May the family only know simchas..
I am proud to say that Rabbi Daniel studied for his Bar Mitzvah in my parents home next to the Bnei Ruven Synagogue.
My mother and I were in Chicago the day of the Lavayah there was a man who I think put our feelings into words .He said “It’s a sad day in Ilinois .”
Let Hashem save us from future pain. Ad masei.
He will always be remembered as a blessed and wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, rabbi, teacher, counsellor and friend. I met Rabbi Daniel 10yrs ago.
He made me feel so welcome and invited me to his home for a meal with his family. I will never forget his kindness, goodness and very warm heart. What a wonderful man. We can all emulate his nature to spread G-d’s love to our fellow man just like Rabbi Daniel did.
Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz was an unforgettable person. He was always ready to help another yid, and was never too busy for anyone who asked for his help. Despite his power and political connections, his position and accomplished children, he was down to earth, humble, funny and inspiring person. He helped me personally in a very chilling time and always had good word to say. I will miss him. May his family find strength to carry onhis mission and the Rebbe’a mission to bring Moschiach.
We know his parents Frank and Cynthia when they lived on Farwell Ave. Our deepest condolences to the family. This is so tragic!!
“May his memory be never forgotten” – greek saying “zoi se sas”
Ann (Anastasia) and Frank Glapa
So shocking!:(
Rabbi Moscowitz and “his gang” kashered my home in 1979 and had been a friend and advisor for decades. Through him we started a Chabad Hospital Visitation Program erev Shabbat at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 1990, responsible for over 50,000 visits to Jewish patients erve Shabbat in the last 25 years. His kindness and wisdom helped my family through difficult times. He will be missed by many. May his family take strength from all of his good deeds and may his memory be for a blessing.
Feels like a Dream. He’s Action spoke for who he was.
ברוך דיין אמת
I have been in a daze the last few days. I can’t believe this. I feel as if I have lost a father. He was a pillar and a rock for me. I feel as if this is a big mistake. I know when moshiach comes and we see him again he is going to have a great story and will share it in a very animated way. I feel so bad for his family I can only imagine the pain and grief they must be feeling. I don’t have any explanation for this and it makes me feel very… Read more »
May you be comforted among the mourners of Israel. Rabbi Daniel Moskowitz and his family were very kind to us when we first came to Chicago as converts. May he always hold a special place in our hearts.
MOSHIACH MUST BE IMMINENT…NO OTHER EXPLANATION
my heart is broken Frank and Cynthia ,,,bila ha moves la netzach
I’m just in shock! Rabbi Moskowitz was my lifeline to yiddishkeit when I moved to Chicago to study at Northwestern. His classes at the Chabad House were unforgettable, and he and Esther Rochel were so welcoming! May she and their children have the strength to continue their avodas hakodesh til 120, iy’H.
Now?, everyone is crying out Ad Mosai? One of the 13 Ani Maamin’s, is about awaiting Moshiach’s imminent arrival, each and every day. The Rambam goes even further, that anyone who (is not even lacking at all, whatsoever, in Emuna in Moshiach but is merely lacking in, that he) doesn’t await Moshiach eagerly every day is a K—-. Whenever tragedy strikes, it’s natural for everyone to cry out Ad Mosai, and We Need Moshiach Now. Unfortunately, some people only do that at such times, and otherwise the subject is not on the table and is “off limits”, of even being… Read more »
I’m depply sad !!!! I have an oportunity in my life to pass a Shabat in his synagogue!!! Great lost!!! Too young man and a great leader!!!! So sad!!!!
i didn’t know him personally but from a distance i was always so impressed with him, may his family have the koach to continue on in his ways
His works will remind us of the behavior to strive for. Our fond memories of Rabbi Moscowitz will encourage us in our acts and studies. His wonderful family will carry on his name.
A great loss…heartfelt condolences to our family of Shluchim…may we be re-united with the coming of Moshiach, Amen Selah.
This is such shocking and and sad news. As a nephew Daniel was always a uncle who’m I looked up to, and inspired me to see what a means giving your life over for the Rebbe and shlichus. He always had a smile, something nice to say about others, and he was always very energetic and fun to be around while learning allot from him. Feter Daniel, it’s so hard to believe that when I come to Chicago today I won’t be seeing you as I always do. We will miss you so very much, and please beg hashem to… Read more »
i dont have any words to explain my feelings!!!! this is terrible!!!! this is a sign moshiach is on his way nearly here!!!!! AD MOSAIIII!!! HOW LONG CAN WE SUFFER PLEASE HASHEM BRING MOSHIACH NOWWWW!!! IS FAMILY SHOULD BE COMFORTED HASHEM YENACHEIM ESCHEM MIOICH KOL AVLEH TZIYON VUYERUSHLAYIM!!!!! I MAKE A HACHLATAH TO GIVE AN EXTRA COIN FOR TZEDAKAH AS AN ALIYAH FOR HIS NESHAMAH AND A REFUAH SHLEIMAH KROIVAHH FOR YITZCHAK BEN BROCHA!!!
Ive heard of over 30 deaths in the past two months to young man and woman in jewish communities. What’s going on?
Rabbi Moscowitz was a man of inspiration!
I wish his family strength. Bde.
Tyere Chassidism. It is time for some serious soul searching. And when done doing that, do it some more. BD”E
Let’s all remember that we are soldiers of the rebbe, and let’s not loose or selfs chas vesholom of the terrible tragedy of chas vesholom A CAPTAIN IN THE REBBE ARMY FALLING, the war goes on and continues to accomplish the rebbes mission for what every sigle shliach was sent by the rebbe on he’s shlichus. AND THE REBBE WILL WINN THE WAR AND CHANGE THIS GOLUS TU GEULOH. Bsurois toivois.
bde.
ad mosai???
The very special leader of a very special community. Chassidim ein mishpacha — Esther Rochel, the hearts of all of Lubavitch are with you at this shocking time.
I’m going to say shema from a siddur tonight, usually I say by heart…..have to begin somewhere, in Zechus of the Aliyas haneshmah of Rabbi Moscowitz a”h, and for the coming of Moshiach NOW!! How could we best honor this great man, by emulating what he would do, following Darchei Hachassidus. Also, I’d like to make a greater effort to reach out to share Torah and Chassidus, and mitzvos with more yidden, inviting for shabbos, etc, which was what Rabbi Moscowitz’s life was about, aside from being a devoted father, son and husband, which is definitely something to learn from… Read more »
we need moshiach. this is crazy.
I didn’t know R. Moskowitz that well, but I had one encounter with him that made a lasting impression on me. When I returned home from my sister’s Levaya last May, R. Moskowitz personally made sure that all my family members had an egg and other items to eat.
This is so awful. I am crying for him although I have never met him. For him and his bereft family. Praying the Almighty to give his loved ones the strength to go on without him.
What a tragic loss. He was my brother’s (OBM) best friend and teacher. To his extended family-I am so sorry for your loss.
I cant believe this,he was a real Chosid and full of simcha,dosen’t make sense
HaMakom yenachem etchem betoch shaar avelei Tsion veYirushalayim.
Chana K. in California, in shock
I will miss believe this, his amazing sermons so filled with wisdom and presented with humor and verve. A loss to all. Judith Gothelf
Such a special man taken too soon. Rabbi taught us all so much. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time.
We love you mrs. Moscowitz
Lghs
I am so, so sorry to hear of the loss of Rabbi Moskowitz. While he was vital to our community, I personally know that he privately made a huge Kiddush HaSh-m to recently to which there was no way to express the appreciation for the help he gave to the family and their community. The Rabbi was a special person and will be missed.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that knowing we care about all of you will help you get you through you pain.
Dina Ehrlich
Baruch Dayan Emes, Rabbi Moscowitz. I will miss you dearly….
He is such a good man:(:(:(:(
He was my Teachers father.
So sad.
what kind of “minor” surgery was it?
May he rest in peace in Gan Eden
Baruch Dayan Haemes
will miss him and all the wonderful programs he single handedly instituted,,,,,very unique bde
His predecessor rabbi shloma zalman hecht zt”l psssed away at 62
….great sadness..BD’E
BDE. So sorry for this tragic loss
Its time to DEMAND Moshiach without joking around!
Community wide resolutions!
Something must be done!!!
Something needs to change! We need to change!!!
It needs to happen tonight! NOW!!!
BDE
He went above and beyond to help me at a challenging time in a way that few would or could do. At the time, I didn’t even understand the politics he ignored in order to help me. He helped my family grow in Yiddishkeit as a true shaliach of the Rebbe. Ad mosai
I went to High School there and remember him as a tough-y, he didnt take garbage, but he was also very personable, he meant business but had a very nice funny side to him as well. Was a great shliach and ran a very successful ship for Illinois – it says something about a head shliach when you have a place like Illinois to show for yourself, its an empire. What a loss. BDE.
BDE!
Wow, 2 huge tragedies in 2 weeks. Vhachay Yitel El Libo, Askanim should make resolutions that we
should do to strengthen the Lubavitch community.
Baruch Dayan Haemes!!!:(
I was a young boy when I moved out of Chicago but I have amazing memories from Rabbi Moskowitz. A big loss to kllal chasidim.
Baruch Dayan Haemes
Dearest Rebbetzin, Shternie, Meir Shimon, Yosef Shmuel, Zelig, Chana, Rivka, Chava, Leibel and Chaya Mushka. There are no words. Just tears falling from our eyes. Thinking of you at this hardest of times.
That tefillin picture is simply pure.
was exceptionaly honest good straight shliach very big loss
🙁 BARUCH DAYAN HA EMET
oh my gosh, i dont even know where to begin. my heart is broke. he was just a sweet possetive person. and his wife, what will she do, and the rest of his family.i hope she will still be the principal. this is devistatin news! i just saw him at a chassanah and he was soooo upbeat and bsimcha!! may their family be conforted and may their only be simchas.
baruch dayen emes
Mrs Moscowitz We love you!
LGHS
Rabbi Moskowitz was a great pillar in the Chicago community. He was a truly amazing person. He will be missed much
he was just honored by the Chicago cheder for his role as a founder, and when he spoke i was so proud of him. always friendly, always urging us to be our best. we will miss him terribly. ad mosai – moshiach now.
What a real soldier of the Rebbe. May Hashem comfort all the friends and family. Chabad of Northbrook stay strong.
I think everyone needs to make a true cheshbon hanefesh. No shliach is perfect, but many of these men/women had special and unique relationships and kochos bestowed upon them. We need to figure out how to move past the fact that not one shliach is/can be the Rebbe and see what positives they have, what experiences they had and take advantage of these people. To me this feels in some way like Chicago/Illinois lost this special connection to the Rebbe via his personal emissary to our little patch of land. Tragic
Oy I can’t believe this what im reading,rabbi Moscowitz was a true chosid Shliach and built Chabad in chicago and Illinois,he had a special way in making people feel good,a chosid full of warmth and lebdikeit
I always enjoyed whenever he spoke at any event everyone would listen,he always had a relevant message
Wishing to the family everything good
Chicago local
How many BDE in one day?! Please end this, please!
It’s bad enough as it is, we must be very careful never to generalize and institute something that is not within our control to classify the entire month as a bad one C”V. We must turn to Hashem and say, Adar is a happy month, so how can you disturb the happiness for us with such terrible Tzoros.
Hashem have mercy
Moshiach is definitely on the way!
BDE, such a beautiful and warm family. I still remember lag boomer last year at the carnival. I can still hear his speech up on stage and announcing children to say pasukim. Well miss you.
I’m so shocked and sad. chana, may hashem comfort you and your family. Nechama Tauber
I knew R. Moscowitz from a summer in Gan Yisroel. Even though this was decades ago I still recall what a sweet kind person he was. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes.
Rabbi,
Baruch Hashem I saw you last week at the chassanah
Theres no one in your league
Thanks for the memories
You’ll always be bigger than life to me
He will be surely missed. Love to all of his family and friends.
may we merit to see him soon with moshiach NOW. may Hashem give your family comfort with all the morners of Yerushalaim & to know NO more tzaar
How can this be?!?!
When I think of Rabbi Moscowitz, I think of CHAYUS, LEBEDEKEIT, LIFE!!!
We must keep going strong as Rabbi Moscowitz would
He opened his Shabbos table to me while I was engaged and learning with his wife kallah classes. Such a special person. What a loss to all of klal yisroel.
Daniel was and is a sheliach, so complete the shelichus that Rebbe said was the last shelichus and bring the revelation of moshiach NOW!
AD MOSAI?????
He was always magically near. How do we all do without him?
Unbelievable.
Michael Friedman
He would always farbreng with us, after the Kinus Hashluchim Banquet every year, upstairs in 770, the whole night, with us bochurim.
A Special, Warm Shliach that always gave chizuk.
Ad Mosay!
So sad. I remember meeting Daniel for the first time in California when he was single and helping us in Chabad House. He was always kind and insightful. I will miss you my friend.
BDE
I didn’t know Rabbi Moskowitz O’BM well. But I did have the pleasure of meeting him on a number of Occasions some of them Simchas. He was always polite and seemed like a very kind man who had although he was a rather was a learned man and a very well respected Rabbi he came across as a humble man. I think the Yiddish word to describe is Bittel. Rabbi leaves behind him quite legacy between his loving wife, children and their spouses, Grandchildren, students as well as countless others that has encountered over his fairly short but significant life.
Hashem enough already!!!!!!! It’s just too much! We need Moshiach already!
ברוך דיין אמת
OMG THIS IS CRAZY!!!!
I hope Mrs M will continue to run school
let’s unite now as one family and maybe col could open a link where we could all take upon ourselves to do one more mitzvah in his memory to bring Moshiach Now!
We miss you Rabbi M
Having met the Rabbi here and to sit and fabreng with him in Chicago was an honour and a chizuck for me we have lost one of the real good ones boruch dayon hoemmes K. Schtraks
A very nice and warm man. He made me feel at home when I visited Chabad in Northbrook.
He was an incredible, caring powerhouse. It is an absolute shock to us all!
We are so deeply saddened by this devastating news! Rabbi will be missed by our family. He was the most special Rabbi and friend we have. Our lives will be forever blessed. We miss you already….love, Lauren,Ricky, Sloane and Isaac Jolcover
ad mossai ribono shel holam ,a great shliach a great person ,ad mossai ,hashem finish already this golus we want and waiting for the gehula hashleima ,now we cant wait any longer.we want moshiach now.
You were a role model in shlichus. I only spent a year in chicago, but what I have learnt from you will last with me for the rest of my life. You will carry on in my shlichus…
Daniel’s parents, Efraim and Tzivia chiped away the frost on the Jewish community in Chicago.
But Rabbi Daniel, with his incredible warmth melted away so much of coldness and bitter coldness in Illinois.
May the Abershter comfort Efraim and Tzivia Moskowitz, Rebbitzen Esther Moskowitz, all of the children and siblings Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim.
Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom.
BDE . I’m so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful teacher and person.
My condolences to the family.
his wife is the principle of the girls high school LGHS. The entire school was flipping out. He was a very special person
BDE
Just seeing these pictures breaks my heart. Such a chossid.. He is also survived by both his parents, and three brothers. We are undone- totally in shock.
Please keep the pictures coming. It’s such a wonderful tribute to his rich life and helps us cope with the grief. Bila movess lonetzach.
BDE
MOSHIACH NOW!
He is also survived by his parents, tzu lange yohr.
whats taking so long!!!!???
I’m deeply pained and saddened. A shliach par excellence, who affected sooooo many yidden, a powerhouse of a man, he lived the Rebbe’s vision of shlichus with great ahavas yisroel, botul to the Rebbe, beautiful family, what more do you want, Hashem? Please, no mor tza’ar!!! Ad Mosai?!?!?!? I’m crying……
SO SAD
This is just shocking to say the least. Hashem should comfort all of Bnei Yisroel and send the ultimate refuah of Moshiach.
Baruch Dayan HaEmes
Nothing more to say.
Bde!!!!!!
Iyh Moshiach will come this month!!
This World is crazy.
so unexpected, Pray for us Danny down here, storm the heavens with the chayous that you got, and ask Hashem to STOP.. Please please oy hashem.
Its a BIG lost to the entire Shluchim family and Anash
Moshiach NOW!
Too in shock!
Adar is a bad month shlucim dying the bochur gets hit by a truck chof zayin adar the killing of ari halberstam and the list goes it’s horrible what now !?????!! What does hashem want from us??????!#!!!!##!!!!!!!
BD’E
Noooo hashem!!!!
The shluchim are living in a bad dream world. Shloime Ezagui Florida. May Hashem comfort the family. BDE. What did the Rebbe say in situations of this sort.
Wwwwwhhhhhhaaaaattttt!!!???BD”E
oy vay, bde!!
OMG
ad mosai!!