David Hollander - Biography

David (Dovid) B. Hollander (1913–2009) was, at the time of his death, the longest active rabbi in America.

Profile

In 2003, he became the oldest active pulpit rabbi and continued in that capacity for another six years. His passing at age 96 marks the close of an era in an unusual way, "having never retired from the pulpit." A cousin (and editor of the "5-Towns Jewish Times"), described him as "probably the longest-active pulpit rabbi in the history of the American rabbinate."

He had planned to retire well over 20 years prior when his Bronx synagogue, Mount Eden Jewish Center, which he had served for 36 years, was scheduled to close. He refused to allow the building to be sold as a church, even though it meant forfeiting many months of back pay owed by the congregation he had led since 1945. He was, however, encouraged to serve elsewhere.

The advice that pushed him on was "I am older than you are, and I am taking on additional burdens. By what right do you retire?" And with the help of Rabbi Paul M. Fleischman, This led to his becoming the rabbi of the Hebrew Alliance of Brighton Beach synagogue at 2915 Brighton 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY

Having been granted both Rabbinical ordination (Semicha) and a law degree, Rabbi Hollander was a columnist for many decades, writing both in Yiddish and in English. The Algemeiner Journal listed him as a Contributing Editor. He was also a widely quoted, albeit sometimes * controversial, speaker.

Biography

Rabbi Hollander was born in Hungary. At age 9, he and his family, immigrated to NY.

A Jewish Press obituary says his name was originally "Dovid Dov Ber" and that his father was also a Rabbi. He did not leave behind any children. His wife of 61 years, Mrs. Fay Hollander, passed away a little over a year after him. A brother is still alive, residing in Israel.

Soviet Jewry

He may have been the first American Rabbi to visit the former Soviet Union following World War II .

He was a regular speaker at Soviet Jewry rallies and, in his last position, at the Hebrew Alliance of Brighton Beach synagogue, the majority of his congregants were from FSU (Former Soviet Union) countries.

See also

• Photos from when he was younger, including one marked 1970s, another 1956