A LIFE OF MISSION
Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman and his Lifetime Achievements
“Rabbi Grossman is a lifetime achievement of giving and doing good deeds. His life can be summed up as ensuring the future of the children of the State of Israel, he is a truly righteous man. When you speak of a love of humanity – you speak of Rabbi Grossman. When you speak of a love of Israel – you speak of Rabbi Grossman. When you speak of acts of loving kindness – you speak of Rabbi Grossman
(President of the State of Israel, Mr. Yitzchak Herzog)
A Beacon of Hope
Israel Prize Recipient, Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman has dedicated his life to children and youth at-risk for the past 50 years. His many years of activity has provided these children with an opportunity to integrate successfully into Israeli society. He established dozens of educational institutions and frameworks for these children, where they receive an excellent education, learn values and tools in order to maximize their latent potential. His life’s work has saved the futures of thousands of children and teenagers and has led them to a good and moral path. Over the years, his activity has expanded into additional welfare and charitable fields, in order to help any person in need of assistance.
A Father of Thousands of Israeli Children
Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman is the founder and president of the Migdal Ohr Organization, he is the Chief Rabbi of the city of Migdal HaEmek and is a member of Israel’s Chief Rabbinical Council. But above all, he is a father.
For over fifty years, Rabbi Grossman has raised tens of thousands of children at risk. With love, dedication and sensitivity, he provides each one of them with personal attention and serves as a father figure for them. His concern for these children saves them from a life of hardship and offers them an equal opportunity to integrate successfully into society.
His Inspirational Life Story
Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman was born and raised in the Meah She’arim Neighborhood of Jerusalem and was destined for an illustrious and comfortable rabbinical life. After the victory of the Six Day War, which was moment of revival and a sense of redemption, a pivotal moment in the history of the country and in his personal life, Rabbi Grossman decided that in order to thank God for the miracle that he bestowed upon the Jewish people, he must embark upon a life of mission on behalf of Israeli society and the State of Israel.
At the age of 21, he left his home and familiar life in Jerusalem and decided to move with his family to the city of Migdal HaEmek, which at the time was a town plagued by crime and distress. He started to get close to the local youth and was frequently exposed to cases in which their family members were incarcerated in prisons.
When he came to visit the family members of the children in the prisons, Rabbi Grossman understood that they were usually good souls, who were not fortunate to have received the right education, guidance and love. This understanding led him to decide to establish an educational institution for children and youth, where they would be given an equal opportunity to maximize their latent potential and to become a source of pride and joy.
He opened a class of 18 pupils from families in distress, which over the years, grew into an enormous campus that includes: daycare centers, preschools, elementary schools, residential schools, youth villages and many diverse educational institutions that offer an educational framework from infancy to adulthood.
Rabbi Grossman has continued his work to include rehabilitation for inmates of Israeli prisons, alongside his activity with children and youth at risk. Over the years, Rabbi Grossman has played a central role in the absorption and integration of the children of new immigrants from many countries into Israeli society. He has been a father, educator and Rabbi for children from Yemen, Russia, Ethiopia, France and India. He welcomed them to Israel and helped them make Israel their home.
Rabbi Grossman has made a significant and important contribution to the subject of Israeli unity and works diligently to encourage a dialogue between the various sectors of Israeli society.
For over fifty years, Rabbi Grossman has worked to strengthen Israeli society, helping the weaker populations and providing a better future to thousands of children – who are the future generation.
For fifty years, Rabbi Grossman has worked on behalf of Israeli society, motivated by the sincere belief that providing an equal opportunity and helping the weaker populations integrate into society will ensure the development of a strong and healthy society. The educational, charitable and welfare institutions that he has established over the years have helped and continue to assist thousands of children and youth at risk, new immigrants, prison inmates and in general, anyone in need of assistance.
His life’s milestones and endeavors
1946
Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman was born in Jerusalem in 1946 to Rebbetzin Guta Perel and the honorable Rabbi Yisrael Grossman, one of Jerusalem’s most important Haredi Rabbis, to a family that lived in Israel for six generations.
1966
He married the daughter of Rabbi Barish Rosenberg and Rebbetzin Esther in 1966, was ordained as a Rabbi by Israel’s Chief Rabbis: Rabbi Iser Yehuda Unterman and Rabbi Yitzchak Nissim.
1967
Rabbi Grossman worked in Jerusalem’s underprivileged neighborhoods and established an educational institution for disadvantaged children.
1967
The Six Day War broke out and ended in a great victory and with the liberation of the city of Jerusalem! Rabbi Grossman’s childhood dream of touching the stones of the Western Wall came true and he decided to dedicate his life to Israeli society.
1968
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Grossman move to the city of Migdal HaEmek
1969
Rabbi Grossman meets young people and youth involved in crime at discotheques, billiard clubs and sitting on the bars of the streets of Migdal HaEmek. He made friends with them and became one of the ‘gangs’. This is how he earned the name of Rabbi of the Discotheques.
1970
He was appointed as Chief Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek, the youngest chief Rabbi in the history of the State of Israel
1971
Rabbi Grossman first meets prison inmates. These encounters change his world view and the rest of his life. The Rabbi creates a rehabilitation program for inmates operated at Israel’s prisons to this day.
1972
Rabbi Grossman opens a class for 18 children from disadvantaged families in Migdal HaEmek. Over the years, this small class will grow into a national educational network, educating thousands of children – both boys and girls known as the Migdal Ohr Educational Network
1972
“Rabbi Grossman’s unique power is expressed in how he turned a crime ridden development town into a thriving and productive town” (Prime Minister Golda Meir)
1973 - The Yom Kippur War
Rabbi Grossman encourages the wounded soldiers of the Yom Kippur War and helps with their rehabilitation. For the rest of his life, he will dedicate himself to the healing of wounded soldiers and to aiding IDF soldiers to help meet their needs.
1973
The Rabbi continues his holy mission and opens many educational institutions in Migdal HaEmek, for children and youth of all ages. He opens daycare centers, preschools and schools
1974
His educational activity is successful, and Rabbi Grossman provides a framework to disadvantaged children and youth. A man of vision, he plans to build an expansive educational campus to serve more children in need of a supportive home, education and love.
1975
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Migdal Ohr Educational Campus in Migdal HaEmek
1976
The educational campus grew and developed, and additional daycare centers, preschools, schools and residential schools were opened.
1980 - Father of the Prisoners Award
Rabbi Grossman receives the Father of the Prisoners Award in recognition and appreciation of his efforts in the field of rehabilitation of the inmates of Israel’s prisons
1983 - The Love of Israel Award
Israeli President, the late Mr. Haim Herzog and Prime Minister Menachem Begin bestowing the Love of Israel Award to Rabbi Grossman for his work on behalf of unity of the Jewish People, integrating the different ethnicities and reducing hardships and opposition.
1984
Rabbi Grossman assists with the absorption of Ethiopian Jews who immigrated during the Operation Moses campaign
1985
Establishment of the Migdal Ohr preschool and daycare center network
1988
The Girls’ Educational Campus opened its gates to hundreds of girls. These girls benefit from values-based education as well as studies in the fields of art, literature and science.
1990
Rabbi Grossman establishes a Migdal Ohr representation in Moscow and offers educational activity to ease the absorption of the local children as they arrive in Israel.
1991 - Protector of Tolerance Award
Rabbi Grossman receives the Chief Justice Yitzchak Kahan Tolerance Award from the late Speaker of the Knesset, Mr. Dov Shilansky. This special award was bestowed upon Rabbi Grossman for his activity promoting tolerance and bringing the religious and secular sectors and different ethnicities closer together in Israeli society.
1991
Rabbi Grossman helps the absorption of new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, offering them housing, education and solutions to meet their needs.
1993
The immigration of Yemenite Jews to Israel and their absorption at the Migdal Ohr Campus
1994 - Honorary Doctorate
Rabbi Grossman receives an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University
1995
Rabbi Grossman helps with the immigration of Jewish youth from France, enrolling them in the Migdal Ohr Campus
1996
Rabbi Grossman opens a dental clinic providing free dental treatments for the children of Migdal Ohr
1998
Rabbi Grossman establishes the Machshava School for the Arts and Sciences. The school was established to provide the children of new immigrants with an educational framework designed to help them integrate into Israeli society while providing them with nationalistic and values-based education. The scholastic level is high, the advanced enrichment activities and the investment in the fields of sciences and art have led to the school’s success and excellent reputation
2000
Rabbi Grossman establishes a medical center on the Migdal Ohr Campus for the welfare of the children
2001
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon attends the inauguration of the dormitory building named for his late wife, Mrs. Lili Sharon
2002
The Migdal Ohr Campus continues to grow, offering its pupils studies in the fields of computers, graphics, electrical laboratories and communications, and many other occupations that the pupils can work in and start an independent life while integrating into the workforce
2003 - Chag Savea For Children
Food baskets are distributed to needy children and families each year at Rosh Hashana and Passover, to this day. Currently, the Migdal Ohr Organization distributes more than 20,000 food baskets to the needy
2003 - Ohr Israeli
Rabbi Grossman establishes the Ohr Israeli Youth Movement, providing youth with Jewish values and tradition, nationwide
2004 - The Israel Prize
The Israel Prize is conferred to Rabbi Grossman for his Life’s Achievements – for his special contribution to the State of Israel and Israeli society
2006 - Honorary Doctorate
Rabbi Grossman is awarded an honorary doctorate from Bar Ilan University
2006 - The Second Lebanon War
Rabbi Grossman provides a supportive home and support for 700 IDF Soldiers during the War
2008 - The Torch Lighting Ceremony – Israel’s 60th year of independence
"I, Yitzchak David Grossman, was born in Jerusalem, sixth generation in Israel, Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, founder and director of the Migdal Ohr Campus in my city and its national network, educating thousands of pupils. I have established branches in the former Soviet Union, work regularly in the rehabilitation of prisoners, in the absorption of immigrants and promoting Israeli unity, am hereby honored to light this torch".
2009 - International Humanitarian of the Year
Rabbi Grossman is the first Israeli to win the prestigious Mother Teresa Humane Man of the Year Award from the American Caring Institute. He received this award for his work on behalf of Israel’s children and youth at-risk, along with former U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell
2012 - Zoharim Youth Village
Rabbi Grossman opens Zoharim Youth Village – an educational-therapeutic youth village for youth ages 14 to 18 from the Haredi sector, who have not found their place in conventional Haredi educational frameworks
2012 - The ultra-orthodox Campus for Excellence
Rabbi Grossman establishes the ultra-orthodox Campus for Excellence.This academic campus and placement center for Haredi students is situated in a green, quiet and pastoral surrounding in Gan Yavneh
2014 - President’s Medal of Honor
This medal is presented by the President of the State of Israel to those who “made an extraordinary contribution to the State of Israel or humanity, with their talents, service or in other ways.” Recipients of this medal include Israeli citizens or friends and allies of Israel and the Jewish People from around the world
2016 - Cooking Up the Future
Rabbi Grossman established a cooking school to train teenagers at risk, both male and female, to work in the catering and hospitality professions. Participation in the program provides these teenagers with an entry into the workforce, where they can find work in the fields of restaurant and hotel services
2018 - Afikei Ohr
Rabbi Grossman establishes an educational agricultural youth village for girls
2019 - family residences
Rabbi Grossman kicks off the establishment of the shared residential model of adoptive families that live alongside the children of Migdal Ohr in a residential program
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic breaks out and the residents of Israel are under lock down. The Migdal Ohr Organization comes to the aid of disadvantaged populations and the elderly by delivering food products, toiletries and equipment to their homes
2022
Rabbi Grossman is presented an award by the Macabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club for his 50 years of activity on behalf of children and youth at-risk
2022
The Migdal Ohr Organization celebrates 50 years of activity on behalf of children and youth at-risk
2023
The Migdal Ohr Organization helps the victims of the October 7th massacre and to the efforts of IDF soldiers
Prizes and Awards
For his contribution to Israeli society and the State of Israel, Rabbi Grossman has received many prestigious awards. His many years of activity have been recognized and acknowledged in Israel and worldwide
The Israel Prize for Life Achievement
“Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman and his tremendous life’s work serve as an example and symbol of the consistent and concerted efforts in the field of education and dedication to others, with a true love of Israel, without conditions or limitation”
The President’s Medal of Honor
“Rabbi Grossman, you are a beacon of light that spreads rays of hope to hundreds of thousands of children in distress. The Migdal Ohr Network is often the last chance for these teens to maximize their latent potential.”
The International Humanitarian of the Year in 2009
Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman is the first Israeli to win this prestigious award – Humane Man of the Year by the American Mother Teresa Caring Institute. He received this award for his work on behalf of Israel’s children and youth at-risk, alongside Colin Powell, Former U.S. Secretary of State.
Educate the youth according to his path and even if grows old, he will not deviate from it
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