With tears in our eyes and hearts breaking, we share the devastating news of the loss of our beloved brother, rabbi, partner, friend, and Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l.
Rabbi Hauer was a true talmid chacham, a master teacher and communicator, the voice of Torah to the Orthodox community and the voice of Orthodoxy to the world. He personified what it means to be a Torah Jew and took nothing more seriously than his role of sharing the joy of Jewish life with our community and beyond.
Rabbi Hauer’s leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, deep compassion, and a vision rooted in faith in Hashem, integrity, and love for Klal Yisrael. Whether through his inspiring words, thoughtful counsel, powerful advocacy, or quiet acts of kindness, Rabbi Hauer uplifted those around him and made an impact on every person he encountered.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim.
At this difficult time, we ask that you join us in remembering Rabbi Hauer, zt”l, by continuing to embody the values he upheld and by committing ourselves to continuing the legacy of Torah, chesed, and unity that he championed so passionately.
Divrei Hesped Speakers:
- Mitch Aeder, President, OU
- Rabbi Moshe Elefant, CEO, OU Kosher
- Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, Director, OU Women’s Initiatives
- Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, Managing Director, OU Community Engagement
- Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Executive Vice President, OU
Divrei Hesped at OU Israel Speakers:
- Sara Berelowitz
- Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Executive Vice President, OU
- Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director, OU Israel
- Stuart Hershkowitz, OU Israel President
Hesped from Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus
Levaya speakers:
- Rabbi Daniel Rose, Rabbi, Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion
- HaRav Tzvi Berkowitz, Senior Maggid Shiur, Yeshivas Ner Yisroel
- Rabbi Yisrael Motzen, Rabbi, Ner Tamid, and Director, Kol Echad and Special Assistant to the Executive Vice Presidents, Orthodox Union
- Rabbi Yissachar Hauer, Son of Rabbi Moshe Hauer
Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Hespedim Speakers:
- Harav Yaakov Hopfer, Rav of Shearith Israel and Rosh Vaad HaRabbanim of Baltimore
- Harav Ahron Lopiansky, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva of Greater Washington
- Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, EVP & COO, Orthodox Union
- Mr. Nathan Adler, Member, Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion
- Rabbi Aron Dov Friedman, brother-in-law of Rabbi Hauer zt”l
- Rabbi Binyamin Walfish, son-in-law of Rabbi Hauer zt”l
Share Your Photos/Videos of and Tributes to EVP Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l:
Please share stories, messages, letters, and tributes to Rabbi Hauer by emailing: RabbiHauerTribute@ou.org.
Photos and Videos of Rabbi Hauer can be submitted here.
These submissions will be shared with the Hauer family, and may be used in other tribute opportunities.
To sign up to learn mishnayot l’illuy nishmat the neshama of Rabbi Hauer (HaRav Moshe Yisrael ben Harav Binyamin) click here.
Stories, Statements and Tributes to EVP Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l:
Man of God, man for good: Rabbi Moshe Hauer – by Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph on eJewishPhilanthropy
Remembering Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l – A Personal Tribute by Rabbi Micha Greenland
Divrei Hesped for Rebbi Umori, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, by Rabbi Yisrael Motzen
Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ZTVL’s Quiet, Prophetic Voice, by OU Advocacy Executive Director Nathan Diament
Mishpacha Magazine – special section: Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l – Prince Among Men
One More Conversation with Rabbi Hauer z”tl, by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg
‘You could tell he was a shepherd of others,’ Hawley says of late OU leader, Rabbi Moshe Hauer – JNS
Baltimore Jewish Life – Drasha of Rabbi Daniel Rose
Moshe More Beloved Than Noach, by Rabbi Mordechai Willig
Rabbi Moshe Hauer – Words of Farewell from Sivan Rahav-Meir
Tribute to Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l, by Michael A. Helfand
Mosiac Magazine – Mourning an Orthodox Leader Admired by All
Remembering my Chavruta: Rabbi Moshe Hauer, z”l, by Rabbi Rick Jacobs in eJewishPhilanthrophy
Shabbos Kestenbaum Shares Touching Interaction With R’ Moshe Hauer Zt”l – 5 Towns Central
Statement from The Jewish Federations of North America
The Passing of a Tzaddik With a Giant Heart: Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l – VIN News
Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ZTV’L — A Personal Anecdote and a Lesson in Chinuch by Rabbi Dovid Jaffee
Social Media Tributes to EVP Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
PM Benjamin Netanyahu: Sara and I were deeply saddened by the passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, a towering leader of faith and unity.
As head of the Orthodox Union, he devoted his life to strengthening Jewish identity, bringing Jews closer to one another and closer to Israel.— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 19, 2025
Israeli President Isaac Herzog
I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend, leader of the OU Rabbi Moshe Hauer – a true leader and teacher in the Jewish world.
Each and every conversation I was privileged to have with him was so very meangiful and showed his warmth and kindness, and his unwavering… pic.twitter.com/jRrCyubqUl
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 16, 2025
Israel’s Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter
I am heartbroken by the sudden passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer z”l, leader of the Orthodox Union and a dear friend of many years.
A guiding light of our generation, Rav Hauer brought his warmth, humility, and love for Torah, the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, to every…
— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) October 16, 2025
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis
The sudden passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer z”l, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union (OU), has been met with shock and sadness throughout the Torah world. A thoughtful talmid chacham and dedicated pastoral leader, he made the successful transition from local communal… https://t.co/kYirO7twIj
— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) October 16, 2025
Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt
Deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive VP of the Orthodox Union of the U.S. We cooperated on many projects world wide, s.a. saving the Snipiskes cemetery of Vilnius. You will be deeply missed. זכר צדיק לברכה pic.twitter.com/QFnoqdoFiN
— Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt (@ChiefRabbiPG) October 16, 2025
Senator Josh Hawley
I am deeply grieved by the death of my friend, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, leader of the Orthodox Union. His sudden death is a tremendous loss to America and to friends of Israel everywhere. Rabbi Moshe was a man of remarkable integrity and kindness, and also foresighted leadership. He…
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 16, 2025
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul
Rabbi Moshe Hauer was a beloved leader and educator in the Jewish community who lived his values through his work at @OrthodoxUnion.
Our hearts are with his loved ones and all who are mourning this profound loss. May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/PTZhysyJDs
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 16, 2025
New York City Mayor Eric Adams
We are saddened by the sudden passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, a moral voice and leader who strengthened Jewish life across America. NYC joins the @OrthodoxUnion in mourning. His vision for Jewish education and safety will continue to guide our work.
May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/gCznIFxjqT
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 16, 2025
New York State Attorney General Letitia James
Saddened by the sudden passing of my friend Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Vice President of the @OrthodoxUnion.
My condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) October 16, 2025
Congressman Mike Lawler
Deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union. His leadership and devotion to the Jewish people leaves a lasting legacy. May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/3TSJmDgOwS
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) October 16, 2025
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman
We are profoundly saddened to learn of the sudden passing of a true Manhig Yisrael. Rabbi Moshe Hauer was a dear friend and respected colleague whose unwavering devotion to the Jewish people and to Torah was exemplary and impactful.
We extend our deepest condolences to his… pic.twitter.com/45dbia8MhH
— Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman (@AriBermanYU) October 16, 2025
Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish
I was shocked to hear the news of the passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, the EVP of the @OrthodoxUnion. He was a kind man and a great advocate for the Jewish people. May the Almighty comfort his family and the OU during this difficult period. https://t.co/eTmZfuI6mV
— Rabbi Steven Burg (@stevenburg) October 16, 2025
Major General Doron Almog, Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel
קמנו הבוקר לידיעה הקשה על פטירתו של הרב משה האוור ז״ל, סגן הנשיא של האיגוד האורתודוקסי ה-OU וחבר בוועדות חבר הנאמנים של הסוכנות היהודית. מהמנהיגים הרוחניים של יהדות ארה״ב ואיש של אמונה, אהבה ואחדות.
הרב האוור הבין לעומק שאחדות איננה אחידות, אלא גשר של כבוד, הקשבה ודרך ארץ. הבנה… pic.twitter.com/XUdzyrki5Z— Doron Almog (@almog_doron) October 16, 2025
World Mizrachi
NYS Catholic Conference
Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Catholic Bishops of New York State mourn the unexpected passing of our dear friend and ally Rabbi Moshe Hauer. May his family and loved ones be consoled and may his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/o3Z2LIHXje
— NYS Catholic Conference (@NYSCatholicConf) October 16, 2025
Republican Jewish Coalition
The RJC is saddened by the sudden loss of Rabbi Hauer, a dedicated advocate for the Jewish community.
We are diminished by his passing.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.
May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/JwepBaaEGz
— RJC (@RJC) October 16, 2025
Touro University
Touro joins the Jewish community in mourning the loss of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, z”l, Executive Vice President @OrthodoxUnion. Touro has a proud history of working with the OU and was always inspired by Rabbi Hauer’s brilliance and sensitivity. We extend our heartfelt condolences. pic.twitter.com/YANtdVSjrx
— Touro University (@WeAreTouro) October 16, 2025
Artscroll
ArtScroll/Mesorah Heritage Foundation Mourns the Passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l pic.twitter.com/DZFHHx2a8J
— ArtScroll (@artscroll) October 16, 2025