In conjunction with the Diaspora Museum and the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research of the Jewish Family Heritage
General Information
The Horowitz families Association was set up in order to collect and document information about the important part played by Horowitzes in the history of the Jewish people both in the Diaspora and in Israel, and to make connections between the various family branches.
In an attempt to achieve these aims, the Families Association holds national and international conferences and study days, organizes trips to places with family connections, publishes material on historic subjects and initiates various activities intended to perpetuate the family heritage amongst the younger generation and the new immigrant population.
The activities of the Horowitz Families Association are intended for all branches of the Horowitz Families, whether their name is Ish-Horowitz, Horowitz, Hurwitz, Gurevich, Gurovich, Gurvich, Gurvitz, etc.
The Association, which was established in cooperation with the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research of the Jewish Family Heritage and the Diaspora Museum, was formally registered as a Foundation in 1991 (no. 58-019-634-3). The Executive Board and the Association's various committees meet at regular intervals.
Family History
According to family tradition, the name Horowitz is associated with Horovice, a small town near Prague in the Czech Republic, where Jews who were forced to leave Spain were permitted to settle. In the beginning, the family lived in and around Prague; from there they dispersed to Eastern and Central Europe. The founders of the dynasty were Levites but in time non-Levites also became part of it through marriage.
One of the most exciting personalities in the whole history of the Horowitz families is the Rabbi and Philosopher Yeshayahu Halevi Ish-Horowitz (the revered "Shlah", author of the work "Shnei Luchot Habrit"), who immigrated from Prague to Jerusalem in 1621 and is buried on the same site as Rambam in Tiberias.
We have documentation of the activities of Horowitz Rabbies, authors and people who were active in their communities in Europe for hundreds of years, and in the last century also in America, South Africa and Australia. Many members of Horowitz families lost their lives in the Holocaust.
Horowitzs played an important role in the Zionist Movement and development of the State of Israel. They were among the pioneers of various settlements, kibbutzim and moshavim. For example, Zvi Hurvitz, a member of the "Bilu" group, was one of the founders of Gedera; Nachum Horowitz of Kfar Giladi was one of the founders of the "Hashomer" Movement; David Horowitz, a member of Kibbutz Beit Alfa, was the first Governor of the Bank of Israel, and Yigal Horowitz, a member of the moshav Nahalal, became Minister of Finance. Many Horowitzes distinguished themselves in the wars of Israel.
In recent generations Horovitzes are active in all areas of life: in culture, science, economics, and communications all over the world. Some Gurevitches exerted important functions in former Soviet Union, and have suffered from antisemitic persecutions of the regime. In recent years, many Gurevitch families have emigrated to Israel where they play an increasingly important role in the cultural life and the economy of the country.
Activities
The Association holds annual meetings and sponsored an international conference in Tel Aviv in 1996, which made possible the meeting up of many members of the families from Israel and abroad. As a result a parallel association was set up in the USA for Horowitz families from abroad.
The following are some of the Association's recent activities:
An excursion in November 1998 toured the Judean Hills in the wake of Horowitzes who fought in the War of Independence; in May 1999 a tour of the Western Galilee was the opportunity to visit educational institutions and factories founded by members of the family. In November 1999, the excursion included Migdal on the Kinnereth founded by Hurwitzes, and a pilgrimage to the tomb of R. Yeshayahu Halevi Ish-Horowitz in Tiberias, which was restored with the help of the Horowitz Families Association.
In June 1998 a conference was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel; the Chanukah conference, in December 1998, was dedicated to the history of the "Bilu" pioneer Zvi Hurvitz, and in June 1999 a study day was held which dealt with the role of Horowitzes and other prominent families in the "Golden Age" of Jewish Prague in the 16th century. In February 2000, a social gathering brought together established Horowitzes and Gurevitch newcomers. In September 2000 another study day was devoted to the “Golden Age” of Polish Jewry.
Membership of the Association
For more details and to join the Association, please contact the Secretary at the address below.
The Horowtz Families Association
The Bible Museum
16 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv 66881
Tel: 03-5166393/5177760
Fax: 03-5107661
Russian-speaking representative: Shlomo Gurevich
Tel: 972-4-6001140
E-mail: [email protected]
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