Israeli Chief Rabbi David Yosef’s Historic Visit Unites American Torah Communities

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Chacham Yosef Strengthens Ties and Inspires Numerous East Coast Communities, Rabbinic Leaders, and Jewish Outreach Initiatives

Chacham David Yosef, shlit”a, the newly elected Rishon LeZion and Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, recently completed a historic and heartfelt visit to the United States—his first since assuming the role in September 2024. His impactful journey brought him to major Jewish communities across the East Coast, including Deal, NJ; Queens, NY; Monsey; the Five Towns; and Great Neck, where he was received with reverence and admiration befitting his stature as a world-renowned posek and spiritual leader.

Upon arriving in New York, the Chief Rabbi was greeted by Rabbi Ilan Meirov, Director of Chazaq, who played a central role in coordinating the visit and remained at the Rav’s side for many key appearances. One of the most meaningful stops was a visit to the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Queens, where Chacham Yosef davened, continuing a cherished tradition of rabbinic pilgrimage.

The visit included stops in Deal, New Jersey, where Chacham Yosef addressed packed synagogues in the vibrant Syrian Jewish community, offering divrei chizuk on preserving Sephardic tradition, maintaining unity within klal Yisrael, and strengthening Torah commitment among the next generation. In Queens, the Chief Rabbi delivered a powerful shiur to local rabbanim at Beth Gavriel, touching on communal leadership and halachic integrity, and met privately with numerous rabbinic leaders to discuss the evolving needs of the Sephardic community in America.

  A highlight of the trip was his visit to Chazaq’s headquarters in Queens, where he was introduced to staff members and received an in-depth overview of their groundbreaking outreach work with Jewish public school students. Chacham Yosef, who had personally helped launch Chazaq’s “No Child Left Behind” initiative in 2017, was visibly moved by the program’s continued growth. Since its inception, Chazaq has expanded to over 25 locations and facilitated the transfer of more than 2,000 Jewish children from public school into yeshivot across the country.

Chacham Yosef praised Chazaq’s mission, offering heartfelt blessings to the organization and urging its leaders to continue reaching every Jewish soul. In Chazaq’s words: “Chazaq was honored to welcome the Chief Rabbi of Israel, HaRav David Yosef, to our headquarters in Queens. The Chief Rabbi met some members of the Chazaq staff, praised our life-changing mission with public school students, and blessed us to continue our impactful work.” His visit reaffirmed a strong partnership between Israel’s Chief Rabbinate and Chazaq, whose outreach efforts continue to shape the Jewish future through education, inspiration, and community transformation.

The Chief Rabbi’s itinerary also included visits to Monsey and Great Neck, where hundreds gathered at local yeshivot and batei knesset to hear Chacham Yosef’s shiurim on halachah and hashkafah. In a moving public address at Ohel Yaakov, Chacham Yosef emphasized the importance of preserving one’s ancestral customs, recalling his own father’s insistence that he maintain Sephardic minhagim despite receiving an Ashkenazi education. That message—rooted in fidelity to mesorah and paired with an unwavering commitment to outreach—defined the spirit of this historic visit.

While Chacham Yosef has visited American communities in years past, this journey marked his first trip to the United States since being appointed as Chief Rabbi of Israel. With his new role, this visit carried added weight, symbolizing a renewed commitment to strengthening global Sephardic identity and reinforcing the bonds between Eretz Yisrael and diaspora Torah centers.

With new initiatives already underway and bridges further strengthened through this mission, Chacham Yosef’s visit leaves behind a lasting impact and a renewed sense of purpose for organizations like Chazaq and for Torah communities across North America.