Murder of Phillip L. Rabinowitz

On February 29, 1984, at approximately 8:15 am, three members of 63-year-old Rabbi Phillip L. Rabinowitz's congregation went to check up on him at his home at 1134 25th St. NW in Washington, D.C. They went to check up on him as no one could contact him since the day before. He never skipped a service before so three members went to his home. His door was unlocked and that was unusual cause he was fearful of intruders. Feeling uneasy they went inside. He would find him dead face down on the floor by his desk. It was found that he had suffered from a severe blow to the head and had been stabbed to death. 

There was no sign of a struggle or sign of a burglary. The only thing missing from the home was the knife Rabinowitz used to perform ritual circumcisions.This could have been the murder weapon.It's unknown what the motive for his murder is, but it may have been done to him by someone he knew. He was paranoid of being mugged or robbed and was careful of who he let into his home. 

 

He was a rabbi at Kesher Israel Congregation and was the leader of the orthodox Georgetown Synagogue-Kesher Israel Congregation. He was described as a quiet and scholarly man.

SOURCES:

Metropolitan Police Department Washington DC
Uncovered

Find a Grave

The Washington Post March 1, 1984

Jewish Insider  April 17, 2023

Baltimore Jewish Times