Teaneck—Rabbi Dr. Nathan (Nissen) Lander, a longtime resident of CareOne of Teaneck, passed away last week at 94. He was a lifelong activist and sociologist who worked tirelessly on behalf of the Jewish community, and brother of renowned educator and founder of Touro College, Rabbi Dr. Bernard Lander z”l.

A native New Yorker, Nissen Lander was 1946 graduate of RIETS at YU, and a PhD in sociology who taught at St. Johns University, Yeshiva College and finally at Touro. As one of the school’s founding vice presidents and as chairman of the Sociology Department, “he played a pivotal role in the development of Touro,” said Rabbi Doniel Lander, Touro’s current chancellor and Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim. He told JLNJ that his uncle was a poet.

“His poetry flowed from a neshama (soul) imbued with the love of the Jewish people and Eretz Yisroel,” he said.

“Several poems of his are hanging in the shul at CareOne,” said Rabbi Joseph Siev, who served as chaplain at CareOne for its first seven years. Rabbi Siev added that Dr. Lander had many regular visitors from the Teaneck area and that numerous school groups came to visit him. “He certainly inspired people with his passion,” Siev said.

Lander was active in the civil rights movement, and was involved in a number of causes geared toward protecting Israel and fellow Jews, including leading the opposition against anti-shechita (ritual slaughter) legislation in New York State in the 1960s and on issues related to interfaith dialogue, which he found to be counter to Jewish interests. Among his papers is a beautiful letter of recommendation from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, z’tl. About Dr. Lander, Rabbi Feinstein wrote in Hebrew: “On account of these merits—that he stood guard with all his heart to prevent harms and obstacles—May Hashem bless him with great success in knowing the truth. And may his words be accepted before all those who want to improve. And in every place where he wants to lecture about these things. And Hashem should grant him success in all his endeavors.”