Yisroel Yaakov Lichtenstein

Yisroel Yaakov Lichtenstein is the former Av Beit Din of Federation of Synagogues in London, having given notice mid-2019[1] that after 30 years at that post[2] he'd being moving to Israel.

Yisroel Yaakov Lichtenstein,[3] who is also referred to as Yaakov Lichtenstein[4][5][6] and Yisroel Lichtenstein[7] continued to serve as the official rabbi of a small congregation until making Aliya.[8][9] Among the issues that called for him to interact with UK government was gender separation of religious schools.[10]

Overview

His challenges were not limited tp dealing with religious freedom regarding gender separation in Jewish schools.[1] In 2009, in response to "questions from various quarters," Lichtenstein authored a "to explain what is meant by" article regarding the idea of supervising more than one standard for kosher meat, justifying higher level(s) based in part on "since 1905, the London Board for Shechita always provided for two levels of Kashrut."[11]

At the time he left London, his co-dayanim were Moshe Elzas, Yehonoson Hool, and Yehoshua Posen[1] Both he and his successor are American born.[2]

Early life

Lichtenstein "grew up in Boston." Beginning age 20 he lived and studied in Israel for 14 years.[3] He moved to London in 1988.[10]

Shailatext project

Lichtenstein, having spoken out in 2018 about the need for kosher use of technology,[12] lead preparations for what the Federation of Synagogues called their Shailatext project, a people-powered technology based process for answering Halachic questions, especially for "those who have not yet found a rabbi."[1] His successor, Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, noted in a mid-2019 interview that "Zimmerman estimates that he has answered 200,000 sh’eilos from all over the United Kingdom while in Gateshead — in person, over the phone, and by email and text."[13][14][15] By the time Lichtenstein retired, the service was described as achieving "response within four hours."[5]

Personal

His father, Kalman Lichtenstein, was a rabbi in Massachusetts;[16] his mother's name was Golda.[17]

References
  1. Yonoson Rosenblum (July 10, 2019). "Next Stop, London". Mishpacha. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  2. Doreen Wachmann (June 19, 2019). "Gateshead Rav in Talks to Head Federation of Synagogues". The Jewish Press.
  3. "Dayan Yisroel Yaakov Lichtenstein".
  4. James Rossiter (June 22, 2007). "Youth movement offers brighter future". The London Times.
  5. Jonathan Rosenblum (January 10, 2018). "A Winter Retreat in the Emerald Isle". Mishpacha.
  6. "Rabbi Yaakov Lichtenstein (R) arrives at Pictures".
  7. "HaGaon HaRav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman Appointed New Av Beis Din Of London Beis Din". Baltimore Jewish Life. July 3, 2019.
  8. "from about 1998 to ..." "Hendon Beis Hamedrash, London".
  9. The Federation of Synagogues is located in Hendon, as is the small congregation
  10. "Federation's Beth Din head, Dayan Lichtenstein, to stand down after 30 years". JewishNews. March 19, 2019.
  11. "An Insight into 'Chalak Beit Yosef' by Dayan Y. Y. Lichtenstein, Rosh Beth Din, Federation of Synagogues". HaMaor. September 2009.
  12. "Top London Charedi rabbi wants to embrace technology 'in a kosher way'". October 24, 2018.
  13. 50/day
  14. "Ask the Federation - new ShailaText service".
  15. "Federation Beis Din's Shailatext service". Yalla Magazine. February 25, 2020.
  16. "Rabbi Kalman Lichtenstein".
  17. "Rebbetzin Golda Lichtenstein a"h". Matzav.com. June 1, 2011.
Preceded by
 ABD Federation of Synagogues
1989-2019		 Succeeded by
Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman


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