IL SR1608

Illinois Senate mourns the death of Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz of Chicago, who passed away on December 9, 2020.

Rabbi Schwartz served as Av Beit Din (Chief Rabbinical Judge) of the Chicago Rabbinical Council for over 30 years beginning in 1986, overseeing its growth into an internationally recognized leader in Jewish law and kosher supervision.

He was appointed Av Beth Din of the Rabbinical Council of America's Beth Din of America in 1991 and served as editor of the HaDarom Journal.

Rabbi Schwartz was a scholar of Jewish texts dedicated to education, mentoring younger rabbis, and serving organizations including the Religious Zionists of Chicago and Hatzalah.

The Senate extends condolences to his surviving family members (wife Rebbetzin Chana Sarah, two sons, one daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren), the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and the Jewish community.