GROSSMAN, YIẒḤAK-DAVID

GROSSMAN, YIẒḤAK-DAVID (1946– ), Israeli rabbi known for his unique activities in education and welfare, such as assistance to criminal youth and adults, immigration absorption, and the advancement of religious-secular relations. The crowning glory of his work is the Migdal Or educational system, with schools and dormitories in Israel and abroad. Grossman was born in Jerusalem, a sixth-generation Israeli. In 1966 he received his rabbinic ordination from R. Isser Yehuda *Unterman and R. Isaac *Nissim. In 1967 he was active in Jerusalem's slums, setting up three educational institutes there. In 1968 he moved to Migdal ha-Emek, a development town in northern Israel, and in 1970 he became its chief rabbi. In 1971 he founded the Or la-No'ar youth movement. In 1972 he established the Migdal Or educational complex in Migdal ha-Emek, which later became a national system. In 1991 he began to absorb immigrants from Ethiopia and the Former Soviet Union in Midgal Or. In the same year he founded Migdal Or institutes in Moscow and Leningrad. In 1993 he began to absorb new Yemenite immigrants at the institution. In 1995 he worked with French youth. Grossman received a number of awards, including the Aryeh Levin Father of Prisoners Award (1980), and the Love of Israel Award given by President Chaim Herzog and Prime Minister Menaḥem Begin (1983). In 2004 he was awarded the Israel Prize for his special contribution to Israeli society.

[Shaked Gilboa (2^nd ed.)]