Meet Rabbi Israel Becker

My parents, both Holocaust survivors, came to the United States in 1948 — imbued with unwavering faith in G-d and a dream for a bright Jewish future. On May 11, 1949, the State of Israel was accepted into the United Nations, and the next day, a son was born to them. They fittingly named me Israel.

Our home in Queens, New York, was filled with reverence for life and for Judaism. I grew up watching my parents open their hearts and their home to others with overwhelming generosity. Whether it was a meal, a Shabbat, or several weeks of shelter, people knew they could turn to our family. Even today, I meet people who still remember the warmth of my parents' Shabbat table — open to neighbors, visitors, the lonely, and anyone who could be enriched by being there.

Jewish living was something my parents both cherished and protected. My mother often spoke about the last moments she shared with her parents in the ghetto of Plinsk in 1942. As the Gestapo came to take them, my grandfather placed one hand on her head, the other on her sister’s, and said: “We are going to sanctify the Name of G-d. You will live — and wherever you are, be sure to bring pleasure in the eyes of G-d and in the eyes of people.” My parents’ deep love for Judaism, their commitment to safeguarding it, and their joy in sharing it became foundational influences in my life in ways I could never have anticipated.

As a young man growing up in Queens, I was exposed to Jews of diverse backgrounds — through my parents, and through our beloved synagogue rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Pollak. It was in this context that I came to view every Jew as unique, valuable, and deeply worthy of respect, regardless of their level of observance or affiliation. That sense of inclusion and connection was formative.

At age 17, I enrolled in the Rabbinical Seminary of America. I had originally planned to stay for just one year — but I remained for 13. It was there that I found my calling: to teach Torah. My mentor, Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz, the Dean of the Seminary, inspired me not only through his brilliance but through his humility and sincerity. He taught that truth must be pursued from within, and he welcomed rigorous inquiry and honest debate. In his shiurim, he created a space where every question was honored and every soul was engaged. He made each of us feel as if we were his only student.

He taught us to examine ourselves honestly — our strengths, our weaknesses — and to see growth as a lifelong mission. His love for every Jew was palpable, and he instilled in us the conviction that outreach was not just a responsibility, but a privilege. His teachings continue to guide me every day.

My wife, Esther, and I shared a common dream: to devote our lives to teaching Torah and helping Jews reconnect with their heritage. It was Esther who encouraged me to consider Tucson — a growing Jewish community in the Southwest — as a place where we could make a meaningful difference.

We have been blessed beyond measure to be part of the Chofetz Chayim family. Over the years, our lives have merged with those of our beloved congregants and students — who we truly see as our family. The bonds we’ve formed, the lives we’ve shared, and the growth we’ve witnessed have shaped us in profound ways.

As we enter a new chapter with Torah Momentum, a project of Chofetz Chayim Southwest Torah Institute, we carry forward everything that defined our life’s work in Tucson: meaningful Torah learning, deep personal connection, and a commitment to helping each Jew grow spiritually. Now reaching across oceans through live-streamed classes, personal learning, and a growing digital archive, Torah Momentum invites you to continue this journey with us — to learn, to grow, and to ignite your soul.