Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz: A down-to-earth guide

Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz is perhaps among the top experts in problem resolution in Jewish education in American today.

This is his story.

He was raised right here on the South Shore (Belle Harbor, to be specific). His education included attending Yeshivas Torah Vodaas where he developed a close relationship to Rav Avraham Pam, zt”l. He subsequently was to serve as an eighth grade Talmud rebbe for 15-years in Borough Park and Monsey, eagerly volunteering to teach the weaker tract of students for many of those years. It was this experience with such at-risk students that led to his serving as a valued resource to many parents who sought his advise and counsel in helping them cope with the needs of their progeny.

This experience ultimately led Rabbi Horowitz to a writing career that involved publishing in the spring of 1996 of a 4,500-word essay imploring other educators to closely and better address the urgent needs of these students.

Subsequently, Rabbi Horowitz established in Monsey, Yeshiva Darchei Noam, geared to the needs of these at-risk students. Currently, this school serves close to 300 students. In addition, Rabbi Horowitz is also director of Project Y.E.S.

The Youth Enrichment Services was established in 19967 to help teens-at-risk lead more productive and spiritually more meaningful lives.

Subsequently, Rabbi Horowitz has been recognized as a leading authority on raising children. As part of the Karasick Child Safety Initiative, he conducts child abuse prevention workshops and teleconferences around the world.

Among the books he authored is “Living and Parenting,” based on his popular essays offering practical guidance for parents and educators alike, written in simple, non-technical language, in a manner designed to go directly to the readers’ interests and concerns.

Dealing with everyday true-to-life situations, and applying traditional Jewish religious teachings, Rabbi Horowitz imparts a unique common sense blend of creative and pragmatic advice designed to prevent trouble, both educational and emotional, for the many years to come. The reading style is breezy, to make life easier at this most stressful of times for these young people.

This work, first published in March 2008, witnessed two more impressions, in August 2008 and January of 2014.

Another book, attractively and graphically designed exclusively for the younger set, with graphics and an easy-to-read text, is entitled “Let’s Stay Safe.” It is themed, according to Rabbi Horowitz to “how can we insure the safety of our children?”

“This question,” according to the good rabbi, “is at the top of every parent’s list of priorities, and in the complex and ever-changing world in which we live, it is more important than ever that we train our children properly so they can remain safe and secure.” This work is linked to a video presentation at its website, kosherparenting.com which is a must for all parents to consult and utilize.