Rabbi Howard Zack has been the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Torat Emet since its inception in September 2001. His passion for people and community and his keen insight into communal endeavors have made him a vital part of the Columbus Jewish landscape and have endeared him into the hearts of all those who know him.

Rabbi Zack’s warm and welcoming manner and his concern for those around him makes everyone he is with feel special. He is highly regarded for his involvement in many aspects of the Columbus Jewish community and he is often called upon by people from outside the synagogue for advice, spiritual guidance, and assistance in their various endeavors.

In addition to building and fostering our growing congregation, Rabbi Zack is also a driving force in the ongoing work and development of many local and national Jewish organizations. Rabbi Zack serves as a mentor to many young Orthodox Rabbis in the field. He has served as President of the Columbus Board of Rabbis, as well as on various committees for the Columbus Jewish Federation, the Wexner Graduate Fellows program, Columbus Torah Academy, Yeshiva University, Rabbinical Council of America, Orthodox Union, and the Executive Committee of the Rabbinic Cabinet at United Jewish Communities.

Rabbi Zack’s shiurim cover classical Jewish texts, modern Jewish philosophy, Jewish bioethics and contemporary Halacha. His style allows him to illuminate Jewish sources and text with contemporary issues, presenting information in an unbiased manner and giving people the tools to come to their own conclusions. He has taught and lectured at various institutions for the past 20 years, including University of California at Berkley, and the OU Biannual Convention, where he delivered the keynote address.

Rabbi Zack became the rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation of Oakland in 1985, following a post-rabbinic fellowship in Israel. During his 16 years in Oakland he founded the Gan Mah Tov preschool and Oakland Hebrew Day School and developed a number of other community institutions.

Main Street is proud that Rabbi Howard Zack, his wife Linda, and their three children, Etana, Shifra and Meira, have chosen to make Columbus, Ohio and the Main Street Synagogue, their home.