April 8, 2021

With great sorrow, the International Rabbinic Fellowship joins Klal Yisrael in mourning the loss of our dear friend and colleague Rabbi Ronen Neuwirth, z”l.

In various positions, Rav Ronen worked to build bridges between people and ensure that an open, inclusive and tolerant Orthodox voice was part of the halachic and civil discourse in Israel and around the world.  As overseas director for Tzohar, Rabbi Neuwirth worked to establish and strengthen relationships between Rabbis in Israel and in the Diaspora.  Following his work at Tzohar, Rabbi Neuwirth was one of the founders of Beit Hillel, an organization of Religious Zionists Rabbis and Rabbaniot dedicated to balancing Torah leadership and listening to the needs and challenges of Israeli and world Jewry. He later served as its first executive director.  Later he founded VaAhavTA, and organization seeking to bridge the divide between religious and secular Jews and building a spiritual community across the religious divide.  Rabbi Neuwirth also served various pulpits in Ra’anana, Petach Tikva, Caesarea, as well as serving as the Rabbi of Bnei Akiva North America.  He was a former captain in the Israeli Navy Special Forces.

Rabbi Neuwirth was a friend and supporter of the IRF from the outset offering advice and support for our organization.  From our very first conference, where he arranged for a representative of Tzohar to come to building the relationship between the IRF and Beit Hillel.  His passing leaves a leadership void in the Modern Orthodox world.

Yehi Zichro Baruch.