13 Facts About Zvi Dershowitz

Zvi Dershowitz was a Czech-born American rabbi whose tenure included 50 years serving Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.

In 1938, just 33 days before the Nazis invaded, Dershowitz fled the country with his family.

On February 2,1939, Zvi Dershowitz emigrated to New York City along with his parents, Aaron and Ruth, and sister Lili.

However, throughout his life, Zvi Dershowitz affiliated with Conservative Judaism, and considered himself a Conservative rabbi.

In 1949, Zvi Dershowitz spent a year studying in Jerusalem, where he helped Jewish refugees from Yemen and elsewhere in the newly established State of Israel.

Zvi Dershowitz met his wife Tova while recruiting in Ithaca, New York for Camp Soleil.

Zvi Dershowitz later became rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to St Paul, Minnesota where he became a rabbi at the Temple of Aaron.

Zvi Dershowitz would remain in that role for 25 years before becoming the synagogue's Rabbi Emeritus in 1998.

Zvi Dershowitz served as the synagogue's interim head rabbi on many occasions, including the year before Rabbi David Wolpe was hired.

Zvi Dershowitz is credited with welcoming them to the community and helping them adjust to life in America.

Zvi Dershowitz retired after 25 years of serving on the pulpit, and continued to serve as the congregation's Rabbi Emeritus, thereby making him the longest serving rabbi in Sinai Temple's history.

For many years, Zvi Dershowitz served as the chaplain from the local Board of Rabbis of Southern California to the Los Angeles jail system.

Zvi Dershowitz died on March 26,2023, at the age of 94.