(Photo: Rabbi Haim Druckman with Jewish Community of
Hebron spokesman Dr. Noam Arnon.)
Hebron spokesman Dr. Noam Arnon.)
The Jewish community of Hebron mourns the loss of Rabbi Haim Druckman, long-time
religious leader and advocate for Judea and Samaria. He passed away Sunday at the
age of 90.
Rabbi Druckman led the dramatic Passover seder in Hebron in 1968 which was the spark for
the repatriation of Judea and Samaria. He was a life-long study partner with Hebron
pioneer Rabbi Eliezer
Waldman.
Dr. Noam Arnon, long-time spokesperson for the Jewish community of
Hebron wrote:
Hebron wrote:
“The world without Rabbi Druckman is not the same. He was the
central part of the menorah, from which all the other candlesticks branched out in all
directions, illuminating the entire space. I was not his student in an official setting,
but I received his enlightenment and good advice many times. I remember the phone call I
received from him when my mother passed away, a conversation full of emotion, depth and
comfort. I still cannot summarize, but only express the feeling of loss, similar to the
loss of a father, the father of a large public. Rest in peace Rabbi Haim, the life and
the light you gave us will continue to shine and bear
fruit.”
central part of the menorah, from which all the other candlesticks branched out in all
directions, illuminating the entire space. I was not his student in an official setting,
but I received his enlightenment and good advice many times. I remember the phone call I
received from him when my mother passed away, a conversation full of emotion, depth and
comfort. I still cannot summarize, but only express the feeling of loss, similar to the
loss of a father, the father of a large public. Rest in peace Rabbi Haim, the life and
the light you gave us will continue to shine and bear
fruit.”
President Isaac Herzog stated: “Rabbi Druckman was a public emissary and
spiritual leader who led in vision and action some of the most important Torah, Zionism
and revival enterprises of our generation.”
spiritual leader who led in vision and action some of the most important Torah, Zionism
and revival enterprises of our generation.”
Incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: A great light of
love for Israel went out today… the State of Israel lost a great spiritual leader, and
I lost a personal friend whom I respected very much. As someone who personally
experienced the horrors of the Holocaust as a child, Rabbi Druckman devoted himself to
the building of the nation.
love for Israel went out today… the State of Israel lost a great spiritual leader, and
I lost a personal friend whom I respected very much. As someone who personally
experienced the horrors of the Holocaust as a child, Rabbi Druckman devoted himself to
the building of the nation.
EARLY LIFE
Rabbi Druckman was born in Kitov (Kuty) Poland which is today part of Ukraine. After the
Nazi occupation he hid with his parents in a hideout dug under his uncle’s house in the
non-Jewish part of the town. Later he escaped with his parents to Romania and from there
immigrated to the Land of Israel. He served in the Israeli army and attended Merkaz
HaRav yeshiva in Jerusalem.
CAREER
He was a Member of Knesset from 1977 – 1988 and again from 1999 – 2003.
Rabbi Druckman survived a terrorist shooting in 1993 while driving to Hebron / Kiryat
Arba which took the life of his assistant Ephraim Ayubi. Rabbi
Druckman suffered bullet wounds in the arm and shoulder in the
attack.
ADVOCATE FOR CONVERTS
He was well-known for his work in helping people convert to Judaism, having served as
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and heading the conversion department at the Prime
Minister’s Office. He also served as head of a conversion court in the southern district
and over the years signed tens of thousands of certificate declaring people
officially Jewish after a formal conversation process was
completed.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Rabbi Druckman authored at least 14 books on religious subjects including a two-volume
set answering question from youth about religion, and a book about vegetarianism from
the perspective of Rabbi Kook.
In 2012 he was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement and many
other awards during his lengthy public service.
He is survived by Dr. Sarah Druckman, daughter of Prof. Jacob Nahum Epstein, his wife of
65 years, nine children, one of whom was adopted, and close to two hundred grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
RELATED ARTICLES:
NOTES:
Rabbi Haim
Drukman, spiritual leader of religious Zionists – Jerusalem
Post
Drukman, spiritual leader of religious Zionists – Jerusalem
Post
Rabbi
Haim Druckman, 90, Passes Away – Jewish Press
Haim Druckman, 90, Passes Away – Jewish Press
HEBRON CONTACT INFORMATION
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
* Facebook * YouTube * Instagram * TikTok * Twitter
Israeli contact info:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
* Facebook * YouTube * Instagram * TikTok * Twitter
Israeli contact info:
http://www.hebron.com
http://hebron.org.il
(Photo below: Rabbi Haim Druckman with Prime Minister Yitzhak
Shamir, July 23, 1984. Credit: Nati Harnik, Government Press
Office)
Shamir, July 23, 1984. Credit: Nati Harnik, Government Press
Office)
