Rabbi Meir Soloveichik

Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik joined Shearith Israel in 2013 as their tenth minister since the American Revolution.  From the very start of his tenure, Rabbi Soloveichik’s sermons, public events, and classes have drawn enthusiastic crowds, and his congregation has grown and flourished under his leadership.  Passionate about Shearith Israel’s tradition and values, his ambition is to chart a future worthy of its congregation’s extraordinary history.  Rabbi Soloveichik simultaneously showcases its unique traditions while also championing the unity of klal yisrael, all Jewish people, a value that Shearith Israel has always embraced.  He is staunchly committed to strong outreach, community building, and higher Jewish education for men and women.

After graduating from Yeshiva College, Rabbi Soloveichik obtained his Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University.  He holds a PhD from Princeton in Religion and currently serves as the Director of the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University.  His wife, Layaliza, is an Assistant U. S. attorney, and together they are the proud parents of six beautiful children.  In addition to meeting the demands of a full-time pastor and dedicated father, Rabbi Soloveichik manages to consume vast quantities of sushi, watch The Simpsons, and continue his elusive search for the perfect homburg.