Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet - Family Issues

Curriculum Vitae

Born 1965 in Toronto, Ont., Canada
Scion of family with an unbroken chain of many centuries of renowned rabbis and scholars
Married in February 1989 and presently 4 children.

Education:
Yeshivah Yessodei Hatorah and Ner Israel Yeshivah in Toronto; Yeshivah
Gedolah of London (England); Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim, Brooklyn NY
Received semichah (Rabbinic ordination) in 1988
Kolel Avreichim in Brooklyn NY for Advanced Rabbinic studies and practical Halachah 1988-90

MA in Jewish History and Philosophy, University of London (England) 1994

Honours:
"Who is Who among Students of America" 1987
"Deans' Lists of America's Top Students" 1988

Professional occupations:
Educational director and Head Counsellor of various Jewish summer-camps
Assistant Principal, Yeshivah Oholei Torah in Brooklyn NY 1990-91
Rabbi of Richmond Synagogue, Richmond, England 1991-1993
Rabbi of Mill Hill Synagogue, London, England, since 1993

Activities and Professional Achievements:
Since high-school days very involved in outreach programs for youth.

Richmond:
Revitalized Richmond community to become a thriving and up-and-coming community with doubled attendance at services, ever-growing membership, by means of unique style of sermons, innovating youth-programs, adult-education, programs for seniors and cultural events; renewed the synagogue's cheder, resulting in neighbouring chadarim amalgamating with the Richmond cheder. Appointed honourary chaplain of Nightingale (Nursing) Home; invited to instruct senior-classes in Jewish thought and ethics at the Jewish Free School of London, and consequently offered there position of Director of Informal Education - but declined as he preferred to stay in rabbinate. Set up Jewish societies in local hospitals and appointed Jewish chaplain at nearby Heathrow Airport.

Mill Hill:
Due to his unique style of sermons, weekly attendance at services more than doubled. Initiated various youth-programs for younger children and teen-agers, including discussion-and debating club (with light supper) for 18-25 year olds;. founded the Stanley House Youth Club for 15- 18 year olds to socialize, play and study, on the premises of a country-club (becoming largest youth- club of its kind in England); revitalized the cheder. Adult education: the Torat Chayim Society offering lectures by prominent guests and the rabbi himself, and larger events with high profile speakers such as Yitzchak Shamir, Morris Abraham (UN-ambassador of the USA), "An Evening with the Lords" (addresses by England's most renowned Jewish lords); Pre-Festival workshops; monthly Ladies' events; regular she'urim for men, for women, and mixed classes; lunch-time classes in offices of the workplace, and so forth. Under Rabbi Schochet's leadership, Mill Hill Synagogue has become a most prominent synagogue.

Rabbi Schochet is a high profile rabbi in England, frequently appearing on national TV and radio, and in the newspapers, to present the Jewish views on social and other topical issues. He received numerous invitations to be a guest-speaker throughout England and Europe as well as abroad. His articles have appeared in the London Times, Time Magazine International and numrous other broadsheets.

© Copyright Office of the Chief Rabbi 2001 - all rights reserved. Reproduction of this Web site, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from the Office of the Chief Rabbi is prohibited.