Rabbi Laszlo Berkowits

December 13, 2020

RABBI LASZLO BERKOWITS Of Falls Church, Virginia, passed December 13, 2020. He is the beloved husband of the late Judith (Mitman) Berkowits; loving father of Julie Poggioli (Peter) and Deborah Litwak (Rabbi Alan); Grandfather of Zoe, Hannah, Sam, Naomi, and Yael; brother in law of Jerry Horwitz and Dennis and Susan Mitman. His greatest joy was his family. Born in Hungary in 1928, he survived the Nazi concentration camps in Europe, and eventually started a new life in the United States. He served in the United States Army and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati. Rabbi Berkowits was ordained from the Cincinnati campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1963 and took his first and only pulpit in Falls Church, Virginia at Temple Rodef Shalom. He leaves behind an enormous legacy in the Jewish community he helped to create. Rabbi Berkowits was passionate about books, art and music. He was a great connector, and loved sharing his life story with young and old alike. Throughout his career, his involvement in interfaith work, and serving on Virginia’s Human Rights Commission, his hallmark message was ensuring human dignity in all aspects of life. His memory will be a blessing. Contributions may be made to Temple Rodef Shalom or HIAS.