The OU’s Executive Vice President and Former Baltimore Rav Passed Away Suddenly on Shemini Atzeres
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By Rabbi Yair Hoffman
The Orthodox world is reeling from the sudden passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union, who was niftar on the holy night of Shemini Atzeres. He was 60 years old, and a visionary leader whose influence extended far beyond his official titles. He had a heart of gold and was a friend.
The congregation’s Rov, Rabbi Daniel Rose, said: “Rabbi Moshe Hauer was our teacher, our guide, and our leader. Out of respect for the family, this news was not shared on Yom Tov.” Rabbi Hauer zt”l would not have wanted it to shter anyone’s Yom Tov.
A Baltimore Legacy
For twenty-six years, Rabbi Hauer served as Mara D’Asra of Congregation Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion in Baltimore, where he built a thriving kehilla known for its warmth and commitment to Torah values. Those who knew him describe a rav who didn’t just lead—he loved.
His accomplishments in Baltimore were remarkable. He championed Torah education, established programs for at-risk youth, and supported families facing crisis. Yet he insisted on doing it all with characteristic humility, eschewing fanfare in favor of genuine avodas hakodesh.
National Leadership
In 2020, the Orthodox Union called upon Rabbi Hauer to serve as its Executive Vice President. He accepted the position and quickly became the rabbinic conscience of American Orthodoxy during an extraordinarily challenging period in Jewish life.
His work was wide-ranging. He edited Klal Perspectives, mentored young rabbanim, and convened weekly gatherings of emerging communal leaders to discuss pressing halachic and ethical issues facing the community.
A Voice for the Forgotten
Just another group in Rabbi Hauer’s heart were single men and women. Under his leadership, the OU’s Center for Communal Research conducted studies documenting the challenges facing unmarried members of our community.
But for Rabbi Hauer, the research represented real people, not just data. He wrote: “A core responsibility of the Orthodox Union is to use every means at our disposal to value and support every one of our members… Single men and women seek to be seen and respected for who they are and valued for the contributions they so badly wish to make—if only we will let them.”
He also traveled from Baltimore to New York for something else dear to his heart: to organize rabbis and community leaders around a crisis that too many prefer not to see – the struggle of single Jewish mothers.
While others looked away, Rabbi Hauer looked closer. While others offered platitudes, he offered a plan. While others saw an uncomfortable reality, he saw Jewish women – exhausted, overwhelmed, doing the work of two parents alone – and he refused to rest until help was mobilized.
This was Rabbi Hauer’s essence: a giant heart that beat strongest for those the world too easily overlooks.
The Personal Touch
Colleagues recall Rabbi Hauer’s extraordinary ability to be fully present with every person he encountered. After visiting a homebound congregant, he told his assistant rabbi with genuine joy: “That is where the real money is.”
A rosh yeshiva shared an anecdote that captures his essence: Days before Pesach, overwhelmed with she’eilos, Rabbi Hauer still took time to attend someone else’s shiur. “It makes no sense,” the rosh yeshiva said, “but it makes perfect sense, because it’s him.”
A Fighter Against Antisemitism
In 2022, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appointed Rabbi Hauer to the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council. Following the October 7th attacks, he emerged as one of the most articulate defenders of the Jewish people, speaking with moral clarity against hatred and distortion.
His Final Message
Just days before his petirah, Rabbi Hauer wrote what now reads as his spiritual testament. Reflecting on Tehillim 126, he addressed the changed reality of Simchas Torah post-October 7th, acknowledging that we now live “b’dima u’v’rina”—in tears and in joy.
Yet his message was ultimately one of unwavering faith: “This Simchat Torah, carrying our children on our shoulders and Sifrei Torah in our arms, we will sing and dance in joyous celebration of our Torah, faith, and tradition… Utzu eitzah v’sufar, dabru davar v’lo yakum, ki imanu Keil—They may scheme and plan, but G-d is with us.”
An Exceptional Background
Rabbi Hauer held a Master’s degree in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and received semichah and a doctorate in Talmudic law from Ner Yisrael Rabbinical College. Yet those who knew him best say his truest credential was ahavat Yisrael.
“I fell in love with Torah,” he once reflected. “And somehow, in teaching it to others, I fell in love with Jews.”
The Legacy Continues
Rabbi Hauer zt”l is survived by his wife, Rebbetzin Mindi, and their children and grandchildren in Baltimore, New York, New Jersey, and Yerushalayim. His mother resides in Yerushalayim.
As his beloved kehilla gathered on Yom Tov, they did exactly what he would have wanted: they sang, they danced, they were united—b’dima u’v’rina—with tears and with joy.
נפלה עטרת ראשנו—A crown has fallen from our heads.
Yehi zichro baruch.
The author can be reached at [email protected]
Well said and Emes!
And, what a loss for Klal Yisroel!! He was a true ambassador of Torah, A Talmid Chacham, and a devoted askan for ALL of Klal Yisroel. May his family be comforted.
Baruch Dayan Emes
BDE — He was truly a Tzaddik, im not exaggerating, he helped our family so much in the past
He was a key figure at the international Kinus Hashluchim. He was a holy Yid that looked to help fellow Yidden wherever he possibly could. He was a giant in Torah and Chesed in the most modest way. He helped rescue thousands of Yidden from war torn Ukraine.
Boruch Dayan HaEmes. He was a true mekareiv krovim, not only a heart for everyone but spoke to everyone personally with warmth on their level.