Officially ordained in 2000 at the University of Judaism with a Master’s in Rabbinic Literature, Rabbi Mark Borovitz combined his knowledge of Torah and 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.
As the CEO and Senior Rabbi of Beit T’Shuvah, a nonprofit, non-sectarian, Jewish addiction treatment center and synagogue community in Los Angeles, Rabbi Mark’s leadership is unparalleled. Community members, addicts, educators, dignitaries, and executives all seek his wisdom; a blend of street savvy, and wise rabbinic teachings. When working with people, he is living proof that change is possible; when speaking to the congregant, he stands for the hope that every man has a higher purpose. After being released from prison in 1988 he began his work at Beit T’Shuvah. Over the past twenty-eight years, he has helped co-create one of the most exceptional approaches to addiction treatment and criminal rehabilitation and reintegration in the world.
As his organization has grown, Rabbi Mark’s unique take on addiction treatment (“Addiction is a hole in the soul. It is a spiritual malady that says there is something inherently wrong with you. Recovery is about understanding that You Matter and you are a holy soul.”), has solidified him as an expert and visionary in the field. He co-authored his biography, The Holy Thief: A Conman’s Journey from Darkness to Light (Harper Collins) for which the rights were recently optioned.
The story of Mark Borovitz and his work is also featured in a chapter of the book, Stalking Elijah by Roger Kamenetz, and he and his wife Harriet Rossetto, Founder and Executive Vice President of Beit T’Shuvah, are the subject of the exclusive art book, Two Broken People created by acclaimed Director and Producer, Jack Bender.
Rabbi Mark has been featured in articles in the Los Angeles Times, Moment Magazine, The Jewish Journal, The Wall Street Journal and newspapers across the world, including Israel’s largest publication, Haaretz Daily Newspaper.
