Lawrence Hajioff
NationalityAmerican, British
Alma materUniversity of Manchester
Ohr Somayach
Occupation(s)Rabbi, educator, writer

Lawrence Hajioff is a British-American rabbi, educator, and writer. He is on the Judaic studies faculty of the Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University and is also the Assistant Director of Admissions. Hajioff served as the official rabbi for Birthright Israel in Manhattan, New York. Hajioff is also the author of three books: Jew Got Questions? (2014), Will Jew Marry Me?: A Guide to Dating, Relationships, Love and Marriage (2016), and The Future: A Guide to the Jewish Messiah, Israel, and The End of Days (2018).

Early life and education

Hajioff grew up in London, England. After graduating with honors in political science from University of Manchester, he worked for MTV in news production and won a national competition to become "Jewish Stand-Up Comedian of the Year." After deciding to pursue a career as a rabbi, Hajioff studied in Israel and then Monsey, New York, where he received his rabbinical smicha ordination from Yeshiva Ohr Somayach.[1]

Career

In the late 1990s, Hajioff began working in New York City as a counselor for Jewish Alcoholics, Chemical Dependents and Significant Others (JACS), a program to help Jewish drug addicts. In 2001, Hajioff was one of the founding counselors of a pilot program launched in Ramapo, New York to help religious Jewish youth recover from drug and alcohol abuse.[2] In 2004, he received an award from the town of Ramapo for his counseling work.[3]

In 2005, Hajioff joined the faculty of Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. In 2006 he received the "Professor of the Year" award in Judaic Studies at Stern. He currently serves on the Judaic studies faculty of the college, where he teaches courses on Jewish thought, the Jewish holidays, the Sabbath, and Jewish mysticism.[3] Hajioff also serves as the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the school.[4]

Hajioff also served as the official rabbi for Birthright Israel in Manhattan and its affiliated Jewish Enrichment Center (JEC).[5][6] In this role, he has regularly led trips to Israel and run programs and classes at the JEC, including one that gives a bar or bat mitzvah to adults who never had one.[7][8]

Hajioff is on the speakers' bureau of the Orthodox Union and Yeshiva University.[3][9] He is also a "Visiting Scribe" at the Jewish Book Council.[10]

Writings

Hajioff is the author of three books:

  • Jew Got Questions?. Sapir Press. 2014. ISBN 978-1598260649.[11]
  • Will Jew Marry Me?: A Guide to Dating, Relationships, Love and Marriage. Golden Waters Publishing. 2016. ISBN 978-0997451535.[12][13]
  • The Future: A Guide to the Jewish Messiah, Israel, and The End of Days. Mosaica Press. 2018. ISBN 978-1946351258.[14]

Personal life

Hajioff lives in Rockland County, New York with his wife Anita and their five children.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff". Orthodox Union.
  2. ↑ "Addiction counseling for Orthodox to open". The Journal News. 9 July 2001.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff". Yeshiva University.
  4. ↑ "Admissions: Contact Us". Yeshiva University.
  5. ↑ "Rabbi's 'Trendy' Push Paying Off". New York Daily News. 18 September 2004.
  6. ↑ "Largest Outreach Effort for Alums of Birthright Raises Concerns". The Forward. 26 August 2009.
  7. ↑ "Rabbi aims to bridge gaps in Jewish education" (PDF). Canadian Jewish News. 16 June 2011.
  8. ↑ "Secular Jews vow to 'Occupy Chanukah' this year after graduating from rabbi's program". New York Daily News. 19 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Orthodox Union Announces Launch of New Speakers Bureau". Orthodox Union. 13 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "Visiting Scribe: Lawrence Hajioff". Jewish Book Council.
  11. ↑ "Jew Got Questions?". Jewish Book Council.
  12. ↑ "Hajioff Publishes Guide to Dating, Relationships, Love and Marriage". Yeshiva University. 1 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "Will Jew Marry Me? A Guide to Dating, Relationships, Love, and Marriage". Jewish Book Council.
  14. ↑ "The Future: A guide to the Jewish Messiah, Israel, and the end of days". Mosaica Press.
  15. ↑ "Featured Author: Meet Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff". Golden Waters Publishing.
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