Local rabbi leaves legacy

During his 65 years as a rabbi, Leo Eliezer Turitz touched the lives of thousands. Turitz died in September at age 91, but the rabbi's legacy lives on in the impact he had on the national Jewish community.

"Here, he would be best known in Summerlin," his daughter, Susan Turitz Cooper said.

Turitz served congregations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Virginia and Mississippi before retiring in Las Vegas.

The rabbi was co-founder of the National Federation of Temple Youth, an organization that has influenced more than 60,000 Jewish teenagers, many of whom later became rabbis, cantors and leaders in their own congregations.

Turitz studied the Jewish history of the Southern United States and produced audio-visual and written history on the topic. His findings are kept in the American Jewish Archives in Ohio.

The rabbi was the author of the book "Jews in Early Mississippi."

Turitz served on the board of advisers for the "New Union Prayer Book" and the "Union Songster." He also served on the board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

The rabbi lectured in colleges around the country for the Jewish Chautauqua Society.

Surviving Turitz are his wife, Summerlin resident Evelyn Turitz, and his daughters Susan Turitz Cooper of Texas, Rhoda London of Florida, Laura Malamud of Las Vegas. Turitz is also survived by four grandchildren, Rachel and Heidi Cooper, John Tichenor and Richard London.


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