Yaakov Perlow, an American rabbi, passed away on 7 April,2020 due to COVID-19.
Born in Brooklyn, New York on November 16, 1930, to Rabbi Nochum Mordechai Perlow ,the Novominsker Rebbe, and his wife, Beila Rochma Morgenstern.
Perlow began his Torah education at Yeshiva Toras Chaim in East New York, and continued on to the Lithuanian-type yeshivas of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin in Brooklyn and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey. He also graduated with honors from Brooklyn College.
After his marriage, Perlow taught at Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois. He later moved back to Brooklyn and settled in Crown Heights, becoming a member of the administration of the mesivta of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin. In 1969, he was appointed rosh yeshiva at the Breuer's yeshiva, Yeshiva Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, in Washington Heights, New York, a position he held for 11 years. He also served as the Rav of Congregation Bais Yosef in that city.
Perlow became an active member of Agudath Israel of America from 1975, when he was one of the main speakers at the 7th Siyum HaShas in New York. He became a leader of the Torah Umesorah organization as well. In December 1998, Perlow was named president of Agudath Israel of America, succeeding Rabbi Moshe Sherer, who had died seven months earlier. With his appointment, the presidential and leadership duties held by Sherer were divided between Perlow, the new president, and a three-man executive. Perlow was also head of the organization's Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Council of Torah Sages).
He was infected by COVID-19 and on April 7, 2020, died due to complications from the disease. He was 89. His funeral was held in a private ceremony.