Our Propagator (Founder)

• Rabbi Yakov Yehudah Hecht, Son of R’ Yehoshua Hecht – widely known as Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht or Rabbi JJ.

• His Zayda Reb Hershmeilich Hecht Z’L came to America in 1885 with a Brocha from the Holy Shiniver Rebbe ZT”L

• Born in 1924 in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

• Passed away on August 5, 1990 (20 Av) in New York City.

Roles & Titles

• A prominent Chabad rabbi, educator, writer, and radio commentator.

• Served as assistant and English translator (both live and on radio) for Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson Z’T’L, the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Early Life & Education

• One of six brothers, all of whom were notable Lubavitcher Chassidim, Torah Scholars and Great American Rabbis.

• In 1947, became Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of Congregation Rabbi Meyer Simcha HaCohen in East Flatbush — a position he held for over 40 years – until his passing. It was this position that ushered him into the Beth Din of East Flatbush.

Leadership & Community Involvement

• In the early 1940’s the previous Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn ZT”L, founded the organization Shaloh – Shiurei Limud Hadaas, later known as the Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education, and eventually the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE)

• Rabbi JJ Hecht was appointed Executive Vice President of NCFJE, serving in that role for 44 years

• Co-founder (alongside Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson Z”L) and Dean of Hadar HaTorah Rabbinical College for Men, later renamed in his memory as Yeshivah Kol Yakov Yehudah – Hadar HaTorah

• Served as Vice President of the Iranian Jewish Children’s Fund

• Founded the Ivy League Torah Study Program

• Worked as a Radio Talk Show Host (Shema Yisrael Radio Program) on WEVD-AM radio

• At the encouragement of the Rebbe, he and Rebbetzin Chave Hecht established Camp Emunah in 1953 — the first overnight Lubavitch children’s camp, Today, Camp Emunah runs more than six summer programs, Serves over 600 girls annually. Has welcomed over 100,000 participants in its 65+ years.

• As Rabbi and community activist Rabbi JJ Hecht was deeply involved in an array of interventions and counseling, helping countless people in their plight.

Published Works

• Authored numerous volumes of Teachers’ Guides

• Wrote two books: Brimstone and Fire and Essays on Judaism

Beth Din of East Flatbush – Rabbinical Board of East Flatbush

Although not a project of the NCJFE -as the East Flatbush Jewish community slowly dwindled and Rabbonim passed away (or moved away), Rabbi Yakov Yehudah Hecht Z’L continued managing the Rabbinical Board of East Flatbush, Beth Din, particularly alongside Rabbi Jacobson Z’L and other senior Rabbonim managing primarily Gittin – Jewish divorce, and even Conversions - under the Beth Din’s banner. This was managed out of the offices of the NCFJE at 824 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.

In the 1980’s both Rabbi Moshe Bogomolskiy Shlita as well as Rabbi Shimon Hecht Shlita (his son), worked alongside Rabbi JJ Hecht in the Beth Din, as the Beth Din fostered and trained its next generation’s Rabbis. The Beth Din continues under the direct leadership of these dedicated Rabbis and more. (See our Rabbis page)