Rabbi Mordechai Z. Hecht - Anshe Sholom Chabad JCC

Rabbi Mordechai Z. Hecht

הרב מרדכי זאב העכט

Our Rabbi’s Childhood

From 1983 to 1993, Rabbi Hecht attended Yeshiva Ohr Yisroel in Forest Hills, Queens, completing his elementary school education. These early years built the foundation for his lifelong devotion to Torah, community, and leadership.

Teen Years & Early Yeshiva Education

From 1994 to 1997, he continued his studies at Yeshiva Oholei Torah, where he completed his high school diploma.
This period strengthened his commitment to Jewish learning and set the stage for his rabbinic journey.

Rabbinical College Years

1996–1997 – First Year of Rabbinical Studies

Rabbi Hecht began formal rabbinical training at Oholei Torah Rabbinical College.

1997–1999 – Melbourne, Australia

He continued his studies at the Melbourne Rabbinical College, where he earned:

A Talmudic Diploma
An accredited Chassidic Diploma

During these years he developed core skills in:

Rabbinical leadership
Community programming
Pastoral care and mentorship

1999 – Return to Brooklyn

In 1999, he returned to Oholei Torah Rabbinical College in Brooklyn, completing his advanced rabbinical studies.

Field Work & Rabbinic Leadership Training

2000–2001 – London, England

Rabbi Hecht served as a rabbinical exchange student and teacher of Chassidic philosophy at the Beth Medrash of Yeshiva Gedolah, London.

2001–2003 – Semicha Program

He continued advanced rabbinic studies at the Chabad Lubavitch Rabbinical Seminary, where he earned his Semicha (Rabbinic Ordination).

Early Professional Career

2004–2005 – Chabad High School of Monsey

Served as:

Administrator
Teacher

2005–2007 – Chabad Rabbi at Microsoft

Provided Jewish education, guidance, and community-building programs for Microsoft employees.

Community Leadership & Tenure

2007–Present – Anshe Sholom Chabad JCC

Rabbi Hecht is the new rabbi of Anshe Sholom Chabad JCC, where he has served since 2007.

He has created, directed, or led numerous programs, including:

Adult Torah education
Youth and teen programs
After-school enrichment
Holiday services and community events
Pastoral counseling
Crisis and emergency support
Community outreach initiatives
Volunteer and mitzvah programs

Founder of Additional Community Institutions

Rabbi Hecht is also the founder of:

Chabad Chessed
Gutnick Public Library

These programs support families in need, foster Jewish learning, and expand the reach of community care.

Judicial Leadership

Dayan (Rabbinical Judge)

In 2020, Rabbi Hecht received judicial ordination and became a Dayan.

He has served from 2016 to present on the Beis Din of East Flatbush, under thebeisdin.com, offering halachic guidance and rabbinical arbitration.

Advanced Rabbinic Education Initiatives

2025–Present
Together with his fellow rabbis of thebeisdin.com, Rabbi Hecht co-founded PracticalRabbinics.com, a premier virtual rabbinical training program offering PhD / Rav / Dayan–level learning, designed to prepare advanced rabbinic leaders for real-world application.

Family Life

Rabbi Hecht is a father of one, and is now married to Gitty Hecht.
Together, they have built a beautiful family of five and are deeply dedicated to their community.