HomeSun City InsiderAn Unorthodox Rabbi

An Unorthodox Rabbi

Rabbi Mark Borovitz was the CEO and Senior Rabbi of Beit T’Shuvah, a nonprofit Jewish addiction treatment center and synagogue community in Los Angeles. Officially ordained in 2000 at the University of Judaism with a Master’s in Rabbinic Literature, Rabbi Mark Borovitz combined his knowledge of Torah with his street smarts to shape his calling: helping recovering addicts find their way in the world. Spiritual leader, author, Senior Rabbi, CEO, ex-con, recovering alcoholic and overall anomaly, he is able to reach both the addict and the congregant, and de-stigmatize this life-threatening disease. After being released from prison in 1988, Rabbi Mark began his work at Beit T’Shuvah. Over the past twentyeight years he has co-created one of the most exceptional approaches to addiction treatment and criminal rehabilitation and reintegration in the world.

Rabbi Mark Borovitz’s tireless efforts have not only been the driving force behind the robust and growing movement that is Beit T’Shuvah, but have also been instrumental in redefining the recovery model; helping all people, both in recovery and not, find their path to wholeness. Mark is married to Harriet Rossetto, LCSW, and the founder of Beit T’Shuvah. They shared the dream of Beit T’Shuvah, working in harmony to further T’Shuvah and Recovery through Faith in the world. Rabbi Mark and Harriet are both now retired from Beit T’Shuvah and desire to share their wisdom with individuals, institutions, and businesses throughout the country.

Their documentary, The Jewish Jail Lady and The Holy Thief, which tells the story of their lives and how they founded Beit T’Shuvah, is currently making its way around the film festival circuit, having already won numerous awards for Best Documentary. Rabbi Mark is continuously traveling around the country to share his knowledge with the world. Rabbi Mark has been featured in articles in the Los Angeles Times, Jewish Journal, NY Times, Wall Street Journal and newspapers all across the world, including Israel’s largest publication, Haaretz Daily Newspaper.

Most recently he and his wife, Harriet Rossetto, filmed a segment for Spectrum with Emmy award-winning journalist Giselle Fernandez for her Emmy award-winning series, LA Stories, about their documentary, The Jewish Jail Lady and The Holy Thief. Rabbi Mark’s unique take on addiction treatment has solidified him as an expert and visionary in the field. His biography, The Holy Thief: A Conman’s Journey from Darkness to Light (Harper Collins), tells the story of his life from hopelessness to redemption. He also recently released his newest book, Finding Recovery and Yourself in Torah: A Daily Spiritual Path to Wholeness (Jewish Lights Publishing).

To contact Rabbi Mark Borovitz call 818-730-7405 or email him at [email protected]

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular