The Jewish Press notes with sorrow the recent passing of Rabbi Herbert W. (Chaim Zev) Bomzer, a leading personality in the American Jewish community who served for forty years as the rav of the Young Israel of Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn and for fifty years as a maggid shiur at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
Rabbi Bomzer was also the longtime forceful chairman of the Political Action Committee of the Vaad Harabbanim of Flatbush and a leader in national Orthodox organizations including the National Council of Young Israel, the Rabbinical Council of America, Agudath Harabbanim of the United States and Canada, Igud Harabbanim of America and Poale Agudath Yisroel.
Having received semicha from Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, he was widely recognized for his erudition in Talmud and halacha.
Rabbi Bomzer had a well-earned reputation for tackling controversial public issues and was the go-to person for many who were drawn by his unflappable demeanor, analytical gifts and willingness to go where others feared to tread.
As pulpit rabbi, teacher of Torah, and responsible political activist, he was an important contributor to Jewish life for well more than half a century.
May his memory be a blessing.