Rabbi Philip Lazowski, a beloved Connecticut religious leader whose experience as a Holocaust survivor and lifelong ability to build relationships boosted the fight against antisemitism, died this week at 96.
Lazowski was Rabbi Emeritus at Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford and spent more than thirty years presiding at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield.
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford President David Waren says Lazowski also enriched thousands of lives as chaplain at Hartford Hospital, the Hartford Police Department and the state Senate.
“He engaged so deeply, so profoundly and so sincerely and with such impact in so many different spheres and touched literally thousands of lives,” says Waren, “from just average people to leaders across the state for decades and decades, and that’s very rare and very special.”
“Rabbi Lazowski was a pillar of faith and public service as well as a model of courage and compassion,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). “His deep insight and learning was a blessing to so many, and his lifelong generosity of spirit touched and enriched the lives of all who knew him. I was deeply honored and proud to be his friend.”
Gov. Ned Lamont (D) also issued a statement:
Rabbi Lazowski has an amazing life story and he was an inspiration to us all. He harnessed his life’s passion to inspire others and motivate people to contribute to lasting community change. His boundless optimism energized everyone who was lucky enough to have the opportunity to hear his message of peace and hope in life. His life’s work has made a positive impact in Connecticut, and we will truly miss his presence, wisdom, and ability to inspire.
Lazowski wrote sixteen books, with much of the content focused on how he survived the Holocaust as a child in Poland and sharing the wider story of the catastrophe that killed six million Jews.
“Rabbi Lazowski understood that memory has to lead to responsibility,” says Waren. “He literally spent his life teaching the lessons of the Holocaust and really reminded people of every background where hatred can lead, and why we all have a shared obligation to confront it early.”
Waren says Lazowski also understood relationship-building, setting a model for how to fight antisemitism, saying, “We’re emulating him. We look at him as a role model in terms of where so much of our work is, which is, building relationships of trust and recognizing that we need and will stand with others, and we very much want others to stand with us.”
Attorney General William Tong wrote:
Rabbi Lazowski survived the worst of humanity to live his life as a beacon of unrelenting hope, kindness, and generosity. He always made a point to stop and talk to me, to offer a word of encouragement, a deep smile and a nod of approval. When he saw me, he would put his hand on my shoulder or on my elbow as if to give me a push. He shared that energy and lifeforce with all, to give us the strength to continue all that he has done to make our home and world a better place for all. Rabbi was a teacher, and I only regret that I did not have time to learn more.
Senate President Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff also issued a statement:
Rabbi Lazowski survived the unimaginable and chose to spend his life teaching the rest of us how to live. He turned what could have been hatred into forgiveness, and he leaves Connecticut better and wiser for having known him. He left an indelible mark on the State Senate as its chaplain, touching people of every faith and background at the General Assembly. We are heartbroken at his passing and feel a profound sense of loss.
Rabbi Lazowski is survived by his wife Ruth, 91, the daughter of Miriam Rabinowitz, who saved his life in Poland.
Funeral services are set for 11 am, Sun. Jun. 21 at Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford. Waren expects thousands to be there, considering Lazowski’s impact on so many.
