Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Rabbi Isaac Barzak passed away on Nov. 26, 2023. He was 84.

According to the city of Ormond Beach and the Ormond Beach Police Department, the altercation that occurred at the gate of the Tymber Creek community where Rabbi Barzak lived, was not motivated by hate or bias.

Jarleene Almenas, the managing editor of The Ormond Beach Observer newspaper, sent Heritage the police report which stated that the incident occurred due to a malfunction at the community gate on Nov. 15. The Homeowners’ Association member who is responsible for managing the gate at the guard shack was attempting to fix the gate. He informed the police that they had been trying to fix the problem for some time now and traffic was backing up. The HOA member told Rabbi Barzak’s wife, Rhonda, to “pull around to the appropriate lanes and he would flag her in when it was her turn.”

It was after this that Rabbi Barzak came to the gate entrance. Barzak was very upset and was yelling at the HOA member, who informed Barzak to “go cool off.” Barzak jabbed the member in the back, then punched him in the stomach. The HOA member pushed Barzak backwards to get distance but Barzak grabbed the HOA member’s face and jabbed a finger in his eye. The HOA member then punched Barzak in the face, knocking him to the ground and held him there, advising Barzak to stop fighting. After a few moments, the HOA member let him up and Barzak walked home.

The police visited Barzak at his residence. Barzak had a visible cut on his face. He told the police that he went to the gate after his wife called to say she wasn’t being let in. He stated that he was a member of the clergy and admitted that he was upset and “acting out of character and should not have been conducting himself in that manner.”

Barzak later went to the hospital due to back pain. It was not confirmed if this was due to the altercation that happened on Nov. 15. While in the hospital, a brain bleed was discovered, and he subsequently passed away on Nov. 26. 

Family and friends are welcome to lease their condolences at https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/fl/ormond-beach/israel-j-barzak-17255166 and share them with the family.