Rabbi Avraham Nachman Schwartz

Rabbi Avraham Nachman Schwartz

אברהם נחמן ב”ר חיים

1871-1936

Yahrzeit: Shevat 23 5697

Rabbi Avraham Nachman Schwartz (1871–1937) was a prominent Lithuanian-American rabbinic leader who left an indelible mark on the spiritual landscape of Baltimore. Born on August 7, 1871, in Shidlove (also cited as Lenz), Lithuania, he immersed himself in the prestigious yeshivas of Rassein, Krok, Telz, and the Kovno Kollel. He received rabbinic ordination (semicha) from Rabbi Yitzchok Elchanan Spector, Rabbi Alexander Moshe Lapidus, Rabbi Yosef Zechriah, and Rabbi Raphael Shapiro. In 1890, he married Golda Miriam Preil of Elizabeth, New Jersey, daughter of Rabbi Elazar Meir Preil, Rav of Elizabeth (He was also the brother in law of Rav Pinchas Teitz, Rav of Elizabeth, NJ), and he began his career as a Talmud instructor in Krok before serving as a communal rabbi in Navoh Odem from 1898 to 1905.

In 1906, Rabbi Schwartz immigrated to the United States, where he initially served as the rabbi of Congregation Ahavath Chesed in New London, Connecticut. Two years later, he moved to Baltimore, Maryland, to lead Congregation Shomrei Mishmeret Kodesh, a position he held for 29 years until his death. He was revered as one of the city’s leading Talmudic scholars and a compassionate leader who offered personal counsel to all. Despite being deeply traditional, he was known for his tolerance and ability to understand the modern world, earning respect from Jews of all backgrounds.

Rabbi Schwartz’s most enduring legacy is his pioneering work in Jewish education. In 1917, he founded the Yeshiva Torah ve-Emunah Hebrew Parochial School, which began with only four students in a residential building. At the time, it was the first Jewish parochial school established outside of New York City. In 1923, he merged the school with the Talmudical Seminary of Baltimore, and in 1937, it was renamed the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore. Serving as the rosh yeshiva from its inception until his passing on February 4, 1937, Rabbi Schwartz is remembered as the architect of this “spiritual fortress,” and his portrait continues to hang in the school’s lobby today.

Rabbinic Positions Held

Baltimore, Maryland (Both as Rav and Rosh Av Beis Din)