Rabbi Mendel was raised in Oak Park, Michigan, where his father serves as a Chabad Rabbi for close to 40 years. After attending the Yeshiva Menachmen Mendel Lubavitch in Detroit, he furthered his studies for 2 years in Israel and received his rabbinic ordination at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in New York. Rabbi Mendel taught and mentored boys at Yeshiva Menachem Mendel Lubavitch in Detroit and at the Tzeirei Hashluchim Yeshiva in Safed, Israel. In 2013, he and his wife, Chaya, moved to Weston, Florida where he assumed the position of assistant Rabbi and directed the outreach and development at Chabad of Weston, Florida.
Chaya was born in Brooklyn and at the age of 4, her family moved to Weston, Florida to establish Chabad of Weston. After graduating with honors from Beth Rivkah High School in Brooklyn, she received a diploma in education from Beth Chana Seminary in Safed, Israel. Chaya has vast experience in the area of children's programming and education. Beginning during her high school years, Chaya was a counselor and head counselor in several summer camps around the country, taught at and directed Chabad Hebrew Schools and established many youth programs in her hometown of Weston. Most recently, she successfully directed the youth and educational programs at Chabad of Weston, Florida and taught middle schoolers at Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami.
Rabbi Mendel and Chaya and their five daughters, Rochel, Shaina, Gita, Sarah and Bluma are excited to partner with the Pierce County Jewish Community to build and expand upon the existing activities and programs, to maintain a warm, welcoming environment, to explore and experience our heritage in an accepting and inviting atmosphere.