Real Talk with Hadassah Chen:
I was very happy to interview Rabbi YY Schochet in Italy, where we met at a convention.
Rabbi Schochet is a powerful voice in the religious world. He is young, very well-spoken, and full of positive energy. Rabbi Schochet is the son of the late Rabbi Dr. Immanuel Schochet – a philosopher, scholar, and proud Jew.
As we sat down for our conversation, we started off by discussing the recent tragedies that swept our country Israel: the terror attacks, and how to deal with grief and keep our faith strong. We then discussed the coronation of King Charles, his views as the rabbi of a big English synagogue, and how we should see this from a Jewish point of view. We also spoke about his opinion on the rift between two royal brothers, William and Harry, and Harry’s book, “Spare.”
Rabbi Schochet didn’t let me down with his wisdom and wit at the same time.
Rabbi Schochet is hailed as one of the most sought-after speakers in the Jewish world, he has lectured in Russia, Australia, Israel, and all parts of the USA and Europe, and has been rated top speaker at the National Jewish Retreat in the USA for several years running.
Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet arrived in the UK in 1991. Having previously served as assistant principal of Oholei Torah Boys School in New York, he assumed the position as Minister of the Richmond Synagogue in Southwest London for two years, while also teaching Advanced Jewish Studies at the Jews Free School. In 1993, at the age of 28, he was offered the position as rabbi of the Mill Hill Synagogue. His vibrancy and dynamism has resulted in a continuous growth of membership, now in excess of 3,000 members.
He has a Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies from University College London. He authors numerous articles for newspapers, magazines, and journals. He served as Diary Rabbi to the Guardian Newspaper and also writes for the Jewish Chronicle as well as a very popular weekly column in the Jewish Weekly. He has featured in The London Times as well as Time Magazine International. Rabbi Schochet can often be seen on television, including BBC, as a regular panelist for The Big Questions as well as CNN.
Rabbi Schochet served on the Chief Rabbi’s Cabinet with the portfolio of “family” and as chairman of the Rabbinical Council in the UK. He is currently the longest-serving rabbi in the United Synagogue. He was named by the Jewish Telegraph as one of the ten most influential rabbis in the United Kingdom. The Jewish Chronicle describes him as “one of the most outspoken rabbis in the world.”
VIDEO:
So much wisdom in this interview