About Rabbi

Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv where he majored in Political Science and English Literature. Additionally, he was admitted to the University's prestigious Advanced Talmudic Institute where he began his pre-Rabbinic studies. During this time, the Rabbi also became the first undergraduate in the university's history to teach an accredited course. In 1992 Rabbi Flanzraich received a dual ordination from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate and Yeshivat Sha’ar Ephraim. The Rabbi has been the Senior Rabbi of Beth Sholom Synagogue since 1998 and over this time has been a part in instituting a Kosher Food Bank for the needy, a summer work program for Jewish teens, providing help for the homeless with the Out of the Cold program, re-imagined how afternoon Hebrew School delivers education and with Cantor Moses redesigned Shabbat morning with “Shabbat Beth Sholom”.

Rabbi Flanzraich is a past President of the Toronto Board of Rabbis, past President of the Rabbinical Assembly - Ontario Region, incoming chair of Israel Bond's Rabbinic Cabinet. He authored a book on Jewish fundamentalism called, "The Small Still Voice”, can often be seen on TVO’ s Interfaith programming, is a frequent guest on “Passages”, CTS’s Jewish programming hour, is involved with Interfaith dialogue and is a frequently requested speaker to Christian and Muslim groups throughout the country. Additionally, Rabbi Flanzraich is a member of Berlin’s Zacharias Frankel Rabbinical College’s teaching staff which is one of Europe’s only Rabbinical seminaries.

Despite living in Toronto for more than 30 years, he remains an ardent and passionate New York Islanders fan. Our Rabbi is married to Lisa, and they adore their four beautiful children: Cody, Ari, Talia and Joseph. Evan y”h is lovingly remembered by them all.