Rabbi Shmuel Elimelech Turk (1917–2009), often referred to as Samuel Turk, was a prominent American-born Orthodox rabbi, communal leader, and prolific writer who served for decades in the New York Jewish community.

Early Life and Education

Rabbi Turk pursued extensive Torah and academic studies throughout his youth:

• Torah Studies: He studied at the renowned Yeshiva Torah Vodaath under the guidance of Rabbi Shlomo Heiman.

  
  

• Academic Degrees: He held a bachelor's degree from the City College of New York (CCNY), a Master's degree from New York University (NYU), and a PhD in Mathematics from Yeshiva University.

  
  

Rabbinic and Communal Career

• Pulpit Rabbinate: For many years, he served as the spiritual leader (Rav) of the Kingsbridge Center of Israel in Riverdale (the Bronx), New York.

  
  

• Igud HaRabbonim: Rabbi Turk was a co-founder and served as the very first president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America (Igud HaRabbonim), a traditionalist, right-wing Orthodox rabbinical organization.

  
  

• 1943 Rabbis' March: In October 1943, he was among the historic group of rabbis who marched on Washington, D.C., demanding American government intervention to save European Jewry from the Holocaust.

  
  

• Rabbinic Correspondence: He maintained active halachic and Torah correspondence with other notable rabbinic figures of his era, including Rabbi Menashe Klein.

  
  

Writings and Publications

Rabbi Turk was widely recognized for his regular written output:

• Journalism: He authored approximately 1,500 columns spanning several decades for the weekly Anglo-Jewish newspaper, The Jewish Press.

  
  

• Torah Literature: He published works containing his chidushei Torah (Torah novellae), including a book titled Kerem Zvi (published in 1973) and another volume titled Pri Malcha.

  
  

Personal Life and Legacy

Rabbi Turk was married to Debbie, a graduate of NYU Law School, and was the son of Rabbi Aaron Zvi Turk.His brother-in-law was the notable Rabbi Dr. Meyer Karlin (known as the Moskva Illui), as they were married to sisters—the daughters of Rabbi Chaim Moshe Friedman, a well-known shochet (ritual slaughterer) from Meridian, Connecticut.

Rabbi Turk passed away on June 27, 2009 (5 Tammuz 5769) and was buried at the Mount Judah Cemetery in Ridgewood, Queens, New York.