Cherna Moskowitz, builder of Jerusalem, passes away

Cherna Moskowitz, Jerusalem Award for Building the Land of Israel laureate, passed away Thursday night.

Born in 1931, Moskowitz was the widow of Irving Moskowitz, and dedicated her life to settling the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem and the towns of Judea & Samaria as well as the Religious Zionist yeshiva world.

Moskowitz, who died of old age, was born and raised in Wisconsin, and lived in Miami. Her parents immigrated to the US in the early 1900s, and she clearly remembered the Great Depression, though she described herself as "fortunate to have dedicated and devoted parents who nurtured her and gave her the confidence to believe she could help others who needed a helping hand," on the Cherna Moskowitz Foundation website.

She served as president of the Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation and was on the board of Nefesh B’Nefesh, The Ariel University Center, ZOA, JINSA and Bar Ilan University, and Hesder Yeshiva of Sderot. She also chaired the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism

Moskowitz was known for her significant contributions to the Jewish world, especially the Jewish settlements in Israel and in Jerusalem, as well as for her support of educational, health, and welfare institutions.

The Jerusalem Award certificate stated that the Moskowitzs were awarded "for decades of work, primarily in the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem and the towns of Judea & Samaria, in securing strategic properties for the Jewish Nation and facilitating construction of housing and educational institutions; for dedication and perseverance, often in the face of hostile opposition, that literally changed the map of Israel; and for supporting and helping to elevate Religious-Zionist institutions and communities to the highest of standards."

Yaakov "Ketzaleh" Katz of Bet El was one of the first pioneers in Judea and Samaria to build a lasting relationship with Cherna and Irving Moskowitz. Reflecting on those early days, Ketzaleh recalled:

"When I first arrived in the USA nearly 48 years ago, most American Jews were unfamiliar with Judea and Samaria, and many did not grasp the significance of establishing a Jewish presence in the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem. During a 7-week fundraising trip, I was told about a visionary couple in Los Angeles who were passionate supporters of Israel. I flew there and first met Irving and Cherna Moskowitz."

"Over the decades, our bond deepened as we dedicated ourselves to building the land and establishing institutions. I can say without hesitation that the presence of over 800,000 Jews today in Judea, Samaria, and the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem is a testament to this righteous couple, whom God sent to help redeem the land for His people.

"Their children have inherited these values and a profound love for Israel. A few years ago, Cherna entrusted the leadership of the Moskowitz Foundation to her eldest daughter, Laurie Moskowitz Hirsch, who continues her parents' legacy with deep devotion to the People of Israel, the Land of Israel, and its Torah."

The Binyamin Regional Council stated: "We deeply mourn the passing of Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz, a true lover of the people and the land. Cherna was a tremendous partner in establishing the Jewish presence in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem. Many community and social projects were founded thanks to her support and funding."

Council Head Israel Ganz added: "Cherna not only believed in great values, but she was also among the few who advanced them on a large scale, making a real impact. We owe her great gratitude for all the initiatives she supported in the communities of Binyamin. Recently, she played a significant role in the medical center that is being established in Sha'ar Binyamin for the benefit of tens of thousands of residents in these communities. Her memory will always be a living part of the growth of these communities."

Etia Dan, who worked with the Moskowitz family throughout many years, wrote: "Last night, Cherna Moskowitz, an amazing woman and a true friend, passed away."

"She and Irving led the entire settlement movement in Israel, including supporting the weak and the needy, [and] hospitals. The settlement in eastern Jerusalem was her crowning glory.

"Cherna was a sensitive and special woman, and the mother of eight children. She was a woman who loved the simple things, without pretenses. She lived a simple and modest life, and gave without limit. To me, Cherna was a true friend, a dear and beloved soul friend, despite the age gap and the distance. May her memory be blessed."

Yekutiel Ben-Yaakov, a friend of the family and director of the Israel Dog Unit, a nonprofit specializing in working dogs, added, "Few know that Cherna also supported the searching, finding and rescue of many missing people in Israel. In her merit, many lives of missing people in Israel were saved."

"Hundreds of missing people and their loved ones in Israel join with hundreds of I.D.U. volunteers and tens of thousands of others and send condolences to the Moskowitz family as they salute Cherna Moskowitz on her last journey to the Holy Land that she loved so dearly. There are hundreds of missing people who we saved with Cherna's help, and they literally owe their lives to Cherna Moskowitz. May she rest in eternal peace. May her family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."

While the Moskowitz family played a pivotal role in acquiring dozens of properties in the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem and championed the settlement movement in Judea and Samaria, family members believe her greatest achievement was her legacy as a mother. She leaves behind 8 children, over 40 grandchildren, and, including great-grandchildren, more than 100 direct descendants.

May her memory be a blessing.

Baruch Gordon contributed to this story