A Young Rabbi in Florida, Reaching Jewish Hearts with Warmth and Wisdom

At just 30 years old, Rabbi Yitzchak Lasry juggles many roles. He’s a husband, father of four, community rabbi in Florida, and currently writing a much-needed book titled “A Guide for Community Rabbis Abroad.”

“Being a rabbi outside of Israel is completely different,” he explains. “You’re dealing with challenges that don’t come up in Israeli communities. Sometimes, you're the only connection a Jew has to their heritage.”

One example? A baby boy was born in his community, and Rabbi Lasry was asked to speak at the brit milah (circumcision). Two days before the event, someone quietly warned him that the baby’s mother might not be Jewish. After looking into it, he discovered she had gone through a Conservative conversion, which is not recognized by Orthodox Jewish law (halacha).

“This put me in a painful dilemma,” he shares. “Halachically, the child isn't Jewish, and traditional blessings can't be said. But how could I just walk away? I didn’t come here to push people out. My job is to bring them closer.”

In moments like these, he turns to those he trusts most. His wife Tehila, the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Hefuta and granddaughter of Rabbi Avraham Hefuta, both well-known Torah scholars, was the one he turned to for guidance. “They, along with Rabbi Zamir Cohen, have guided me through so many tough questions. I’m grateful every day for their wisdom.”

Another sensitive case involved a Kohen (descendant of the priestly tribe) who had married a convert. According to halacha, this marriage presents complications for certain synagogue honors, like being called up to the Torah. “He couldn’t understand why he was being excluded. He was sincere in his observance. It hurt him. My father-in-law’s sefer (Torah commentary), 'Siftei Daat,' helped me navigate the situation so I could prevent embarrassment and conflict while staying true to halacha.”

Rabbi Lasry believes strongly in patience, timing, and deep respect for each individual. “One family used to drive to shul every Friday night. I didn’t say anything right away. Later, they chose to move closer to the synagogue and gave up their car. Sometimes you have to wait for the right moment.”

"None of this would be possible without my wife"

After studying in top yeshivas and rabbinic programs in Israel, Rabbi Lasry joined the “Ner La’elef” program, which trains rabbis for outreach and community leadership outside of Israel. He learned the practical skills needed to support Jews in areas like kosher supervision, mikvah, circumcision, and guiding families in Jewish life.

“But moving abroad wasn’t only my decision,” he says with a smile. “My wife Tehila grew up in a warm, welcoming home filled with Torah, hospitality, and outreach. Her father was a community rabbi in Los Angeles. So when the opportunity came, she was already prepared. And she’s been my partner in every step.”

Tehila teaches Torah classes and organizes women’s events. “This work can’t be done alone,” he emphasizes. “Without her, none of this could happen.”

Connecting through joy, music, and shared experience

One of Rabbi Lasry’s biggest goals is to reach young Jews through positive, joyful experiences. In partnership with NCSY, he organizes Shabbatonim (Shabbat retreats), trips, ski weekends, and more. “You’ve got to speak their language,” he says. “Sometimes that means a basketball game, a song around a campfire, or just listening with empathy.”

He describes one upcoming event with excitement. “We’re taking college students for a Shabbat in the mountains, followed by skiing. It’s not just fun, it’s transformational. When they see that Judaism is full of depth and beauty, and that their rabbi is someone they can talk to and relate to, they open up.”

But the most important work, he says, is helping young people understand their identity. “A boy once asked me, ‘If my dad doesn’t keep Shabbat, why should I?’ That’s a real question. And we need to give real answers not just ‘because you have to,’ but ‘because you’re part of something beautiful and holy.’”

A rabbi, but also a friend

The relationship between a rabbi and his community is different outside of Israel. “You’re not just a rabbi. You’re also their friend, their support system, their advisor,” Rabbi Lasry explains. “People here bring you into their lives in a very personal way, business advice, parenting struggles, marriage questions. You laugh with them, cry with them, and celebrate with them.”

This closeness requires authenticity. “People can tell if you're sincere. If you really care, they’ll open their hearts.”

Through his website and online Torah classes, Rabbi Lasry now reaches people from all over the world. But at the core of everything he does is a simple principle: “To show every Jew that they have a path to Hashem. Every person has a place in Torah. Our job is to help them find it.”

Doing it for the right reasons

“In a role like mine,” he says honestly, “it’s easy to get caught up in the wrong things, honor, status, publicity. But that’s not why I’m here. I didn’t come to impress anyone. I came to help Jews come closer to Hashem.”

He pauses and then adds, “And sometimes that means being firm. I’m strict about halacha. But other times, you need to know when to stay quiet and wait. That’s what it means to do things l’shem shamayim, for the sake of Heaven.”

For Rabbi Yitzchak Lasry, building a strong Jewish community in the diaspora isn’t just a mission. It’s a way of life rooted in Torah, guided by kindness, and filled with love for every Jew.