Yaakov Ben Zion Mendelson  Yaakov Ben Zion Mendelsohn () (October 12–15, 1875 – August 5, 1941) was a renowned Orthodox Jewish scholar, communal rabbi, Talmudist, Halachist, and rabbinical author ("mechaber seforim)". Mendelson was born Yaakov Ben Zion Morein in 1875, in Kreitzburg, part of the Vitebsk district of what was then Russia, to his parents Menachem (Yiddish: Mendel) and Beila Rochel Morein. His rigorous Talmudic education started at age 7, and culminated with "semicha" ordination from the Rogatchover Gaon, one of the rabbinic greats of the time. Shortly thereafter, he was betrothed to a cousin, Feiga Skuy, but his marriage was postponed when he was drafted into the Russian Army. The army was very harsh for Jewish soldiers, and commanders were well known for trying to break the Jews from their religion. Morein deserted. After escaping Russia, he had several close calls evading Russian agents throughout Europe. He changed his surname to Mendelson ("Mendel's son,"), to make it harder for the government to track him. Eventually, Mendelson emigrated to London, England. At age 22, he found a position as Rabbi and Dayan of Leeds, and of the ‘Chevras Torah’ shul there. He sent for his cousin Feiga, and they married in Leeds. In 1905, he took a new position as rabbi of Gateshead, and later, as rabbi of Glasgow, Scotland. In Glasgow, Mendelson demonstrated his community leadership and concern for its well-being countless times. In two instances, he thwarted cartels controlling certain commercial aspects of ritual, to keep prices stable. (See details in "Communal advocacy and disputes".) When war broke out, Mendelson's son Chaim was old enough to be drafted. After Mendelson's experience with the Russian Army, he wanted to avoid that, and relocated to the United States in 1915. He would spend the rest of his life, personally and professionally, in Newark, New Jersey. In 1919, he took the rabbinical position of Congregation "Tifereth Israel of Brisk d’Lita". In 1921 he was appointed as Chief Rabbi of Newark, with primary jurisdiction over matters of Shechita and Kashrus; he held the position until his death. Mendelson changed synagogue positions several times, leading "Congregation Adas Yisroel", then "Chevra B'nai Jacob Anshe Galicia," and finally founding his own shul, "Congregation Beis Hamedrash Hagadol".