Rabbi Albert Sebastian Chait MBE (born 26 February 1986) is an Orthodox Rabbi, Cantor, and Senior Rabbi to the United Hebrew Congregation in Leeds, United Kingdom.[1][2][3][4] As a prominent younger Rabbi, his community service, talks and singing have a notable online presence, as well as in traditional national media.[5][6][7][8]
Rabbi Albert Sebastian Chait | |
|---|---|
 Rabbi Albert Chait MBE, 2018 | |
| Senior Rabbi at the United Hebrew Congregation, Leeds | |
| Assumed office 2005 | |
| Jewish Chaplain at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | |
| Assumed office 2005 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 26, 1986 Tarrytown, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Yeshiva University (BA, JD, PhD) |
| Alma mater | Bar-Ilan University (PhD) |
| Occupation | Rabbi, Talmudic Scholar, Author |
| Known for | Expertise in Jewish Law and Ethics |
| Website | UHC Shadwell Lane |
Personal and early life
editKnown by all as "Alby", he was born in Liverpool, son of Helena Chait and Rev. Henry Mark Chait, Cantor to the Southport Hebrew Congregation and later the Greenbank Congregation in Liverpool. He attended Manchester Jewish Grammar School, moving in 2004 to the Midrash Shmuel Yeshiva in Jerusalem.
Chait supports Liverpool FC.[9]
Career
editTutored by his father in cantorial music and ministerial duties, Chait first led services age 14. At 19 he was appointed in Leeds, where he is now Senior Rabbi to the United Hebrew Congregation, the largest UK congregation outside London, as well as Jewish Chaplain to Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.[10]
Chait has led varied initiatives, such as in Holocaust Education,[11] and supporting healthcare workers.[12] With a notably high impact online especially during the pandemic, in January 2022 he was awarded MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for service to the Jewish community.[2][10]
References
edit- ^ "Alby's Induction". United Hebrew Congregation | UHC Shadwell Lane. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ a b Frot, Mathilde. "Pandemic heroes recognised in New Year Honours". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Frazer, Jenni. "Vaccines chief, 101-year-old magician and Martin Lewis honoured by Queen". www.jewishnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Rocker, Simon. "Let's hear it for the chazan". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ CHASSIDIC KADDISH - ALBY CHAIT - Woodside Park Synagogue - November 22, retrieved 2024-02-09
- ^ "BBC Radio 2 - Pause For Thought, Rabbi Alby Chait: "Re-route the direction of our heart and soul"". BBC. 2023-09-10. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "BBC Radio 2 - Pause For Thought, Rabbi Alby Chait: Wholeheartedness To Our World". BBC. 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ BBC Newsbeat spot for Alby in feature on religion and coronavirus. https://www.uhcleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Scribe-No-70-March-2021.pdf
- ^ Winehouse, Phil Hay and Amitai. "Leeds United or Jewish? The religions coexist, side by side". The Athletic. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ a b Jewish Telegraph. 30th December 2021. Leeds Rabbi, Alby Chait, among Queen's honours.
- ^ Trust Jewish Chaplain Albert Chait, Holocaust Memorial Day 2022, retrieved 2024-02-09
- ^ Frazer, Jenni. "Hundreds say 'thank you' to emergency workers on Christmas Day". www.jewishnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-09.