Yitzchak Schochet
Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet is an Orthodox rabbi in England.
He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to the family of an unbroken chain of rabbis stretching back for two centuries. His father is Rabbi Jacob Immanuel Schochet, a Chabad rabbi and scholar. He is married and has five children.
Yitzchak Schochet was educated in Toronto, London and New York.[1] He received his semichah (rabbinic ordination) in 1988, and a Masters Degree in Jewish Studies from the University College London in 1994.
He was Rabbi of Richmond Synagogue from 1991 to 1993 before being offered the position as rabbi of the Mill Hill Synagogue, at the age of 28, in 1993 increasing the membership from 450 families to now in excess of 1000.
Having previously served as assistant principal of Oholei Torah Boys School in Brooklyn, NY, and having taught Advanced Jewish Studies at the Jews Free School in London, he currently serves as Hon. Principal of the Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School in Mill Hill.
He was mentioned by the Jewish press as a possible contender for the position of Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, but in an article published in The Jewish Chronicle he stated that he would not apply, because as a Lubavitch follower, his application would be overlooked.[2]
In an editorial published in The Jewish Chronicle on 14 February 2013, Rabbi Schochet argues that under the current system where prison offers no rehabilitation, it is not surprising - even if lamentable - that people are reluctant to report child molesters. "While one might face a fair trial, it is difficult to suggest that one gets a fair punishment. Judaism frowns on the general notion of a prison system. The idea of remaining locked up like an animal in a cage for so many years is deemed inhumane and self-defeating. And while it can be rightly argued that one has to adhere to the law of the land and thus to know in advance that doing the crime means you’ll be doing the time, nonetheless, the prison system is hardly serving the purpose it was surely intended for."[3] He says prisons currently only offer one true benefit, instead of a full package: they "keep society protected from repeat offenders, the one aspect of incarceration which Judaism does sanction and which could and should be applied to sex offenders. But prisons should also be expected to help rehabilitate".[3]
Rabbi Schochet also writes a highly acclaimed weekly column in the London based Jewish News. He was formerly Diary Rabbi for The Guardian newspaper and has featured in most national broadsheets including the London Times, Daily Mail and also Time Magazine International. He also serves as a frequent panelist on the BBC's Sunday Morning television program, "The Big Questions." He lectures extensively internationally and has headlined at the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem and several times at the National Jewish Retreat in the USA.
The Jewish Telegraph listed him as one of the top ten most influential Rabbis in the UK and the Jewish Chronicle quotes him as one of the most outspoken Rabbis in the world.