“Let’s Dance!” I never imagined these would be the final two words I would hear live from Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l. A few weeks ago, I led a professional development session for OU leaders and then watched as Rabbi Hauer delivered a meaningful keynote address to close-out the conference. He remarked how we had made much progress on goals, priorities, and budgets for the coming year. “There is only one thing left to do,” he said. “Let’s dance!”
Moments later, two large circles broke out, one of men, another of women. With hands interlocked in each circle as a sign of achdus, the two groups sang and traversed the ballroom. The message from Rabbi Hauer was clear. Never lose sight of the joy and spiritual high of working on behalf of the klal.
I felt this in every interaction with Rabbi Hauer in the four years I had the privilege of working closely with him. Despite the pressure of his role and the enormously high stakes of his endeavors, Rabbi Hauer always led with gratitude to Hashem, calmness, and Torah-based wisdom. When a leader emanates these qualities, it’s easy for those around him to follow.
Rabbi Hauer epitomized loving every Jew and making everyone feel like the most important person in the world when he spoke with you. He could seamlessly transition from meeting with the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, to checking-in on my son’s post-high school yeshiva decision. Imagine how special he made an 18 year old teenager feel simply by showing he cared about his future. Showing both individuals the same care, compassion, and love truly captures the essence of Rabbi Hauer. The loss is so difficult to accept, made even harder by our profound shock and deep grief.
I recall that prior to meeting Rabbi Hauer for the first time my community hosted former OU President Moishe Bane as a scholar-in-residence. I was nearing completion of a three-year term as president of my shul and I asked him how I could potentially get involved in the OU. Moishe simply said, “Bring whatever talents and skills you have to the OU, I’m sure it will be helpful.” One week later I offered my executive coaching and leadership training expertise to the organization. Little did I know that conversation would ultimately lead to my joining the OU Board and the opportunity to be an executive coach for Rabbi Hauer. What a privilege and honor it was to have the opportunity to partner with Rabbi Hauer on this endeavor.
Normally, coaching engagements are confidential. However, Rabbi Hauer shared the nature of our relationship across the OU. He viewed coaching as a growth opportunity and a chance to strengthen his already impressive leadership qualities. To be clear, he didn’t need my help in crafting truly moving derashas, building relationships with world leaders, or infusing the OU with a Torah-based approach to helping Jews worldwide. We focused on the transition from serving as a pulpit rabbi in Baltimore to leading a global Jewish organization. We jointly discovered how he could apply his natural strengths in one setting to his new role. Not surprisingly, even though I was technically the “coach” there’s no doubt I learned and personally gained far more from him than vice-versa. Then again, his humble nature never made me feel that way.
Rabbi Yisrael Motzen, his trusted confidante, was integral to our work together. Something he said at the funeral resonated deeply with me. He shared that he was overjoyed when Rabbi Hauer asked him to work with him but he had one reservation. He was afraid that working so closely together would show him flaws in Rabbi Hauer. In fact, the opposite happened. Rabbi Motzen’s respect only grew the more closely he worked with Rabbi Hauer. I felt exactly the same. The more I witnessed Rabbi Hauer in his daily interactions, the more impressed I became. From the head of a Jewish non-profit to a caterer serving food at a meeting, he treated everyone with the same respect, care, patience, and humility.
Rabbi Hauer carried Klal Yisrael’s triumphs and tragedies on his shoulders. He was a staunch advocate of achdus as evidenced by one of his many memorable quotes: “If we want other people not to have hate and express hate for Jews then we Jews must not have hate and express hate for Jews, whether those Jews are to our left or to our right or whatever other label we want to put. We have to make sure that in us, and between us, we are examples and practitioners of ahavas Yisrael.” He embodied this and devoted his life to lifting up others. Let’s all spend ours lifting each other in his memory. There is no better way to honor his deeply impactful life.