Wisdom in the House of Mourning

“Mark Isakowitz turns one survivor’s journey from Auschwitz to America into a roadmap for our time. As antisemitism rises and October 7 reshapes Jewish life, this book shows what resilience looks like in practice.” – William C. Daroff, Chief Executive Officer, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
“Through his deep exploration of his father’s remarkable life—and his own mourning of his father’s death—Mark inspires each of us to reflect on who we are, what we value, and to cherish our many blessings.” – The Honorable Dave McCormick, United States Senator
“This book speaks to the powerful transmission of values across generations and the understanding that to be Jewish is not only to inherit a history, but to carry it forward.” – The Honorable Ted Deutch, President, the American Jewish Committee
“Mark Isakowitz’s exploration of family history and personal faith is both absorbing and moving. These pages are filled with learning, emotion, honesty, and, above all, gratitude. Everyone who reads them will benefit.” – Matthew Continetti, columnist, The Wall Street Journal
“Mark has impacted the lives of so many people…. This beautiful and personal book shows what fuels him—a deep respect for family and faith and the gratitude that comes from growing up in an immigrant household.” – Dina Powell McCormick, President and Vice Chairman, Meta
“Mark Isakowitz’s exploration of family history and personal faith is both absorbing and moving. These pages are filled with learning, emotion, honesty, and, above all, gratitude. Everyone who reads them will benefit.” – Matthew Continetti, columnist, The Wall Street Journal
“In a beautifully written love letter to his father…I learned things about Mark that deepened my already immense respect for him, challenged me to explore my own faith, and helped me recognize the lessons from my own father.” – The Honorable Rob Portman, United States Senator (2010-2022)
“Part memoir, part spiritual confession, and part mystery, Wisdom in the House of Mourning… shows how the very tragedies and obligations of Jewish life…can be mined for redemption, meaning, and surprising joy. A book for everyone who has ever felt their tradition to be old or distant.” – Rabbi Hyim Shafner, Kesher Israel, The Georgetown Synagogue
“More than the story of a son honoring his father, it’s a journey of reflection, inspiration, and awakening. It’s a tale of ancient Judaism, and it’s a lesson in how it intersects with the modern world…. This is one of the most profound and important Jewish works of our time.” – Matthew Brooks, CEO, Republican Jewish Coalition and the Jewish Policy Center
“A remarkable meditation on one of the foundational obligations of Jewish life, Mark Isakowitz’s journey of mourning and discovery affirms the greatest teachings of the Jewish sages and the unparalleled bounty of America.” – Kenneth R. Weinstein, PhD, former president, The Hudson Institute

Mark Isakowitz has spent four decades at the crossroads of American politics, public policy, and business. As the son of Holocaust survivors, his journey has taken him from an immigrant household to the US Capitol, the West Wing, and foreign capitals. He has met with presidents, heads of state, and members of Congress—all in the corridors of power his parents could not have dreamed of when they arrived in America.

As a chief of staff to leading US Senators, Mark has impacted policies on the economy, social policy, and foreign affairs. As a vice president at Google and partner in a lobbying firm, he has advised an array of CEOs and businesses.

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, he is married to his college sweetheart, a Youngstown girl he met at The Ohio State University. Together, their proudest accomplishment is raising their amazing children and watching their grandchildren grow.

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