Draft:Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum

Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Dean of LSJS (London School Jewish Studies) and current chair of the Rabbi Sacks Chair in Modern Jewish Thought, is best known for his ability to teach Jewish Education from an academic lens. In his childhood, Rabbi Dr Zarum attended Haberdashers' School, whilst he was also actively involved in Bnei Akiva. Jewish Education and academia have proven to be a dominant part of his life ever since his childhood. At King's College London, Rabbi Dr Zarum gained a PhD in Theoretical Physics, publishing several academic articles on Quantum Chaos Theory. Additionally, he also achieved a distinction in his master’s degree in Adult Education at the Institute of Education in London.

Religiously, Rabbi Dr Zarum started his path of religious study, initially studying at Yeshivat HaKotel in Jerusalem before going on to study at the Judith Lady Montefiore College in London, where he received rabbinic certification from Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, Dayan Ezra Basri, and Rabbi Dr Abraham Levy. Throughout his career, Rabbi Dr Zarum has been a powerhouse in Jewish education, as he created the Torah L’Am crash course, empowering students to understand Torah on a much deeper level, whilst also developing a love for Torah learning at the same time.

An international lecturer and scholar, Rabbi Dr Zarum's regularly writes publications, and journals worldwide, answering many complicated issues facing us today. His recent book, 'Questioning Belief', released in March 2024, tackles twelve challenging questions that confront Torah, with historical, scientific, and philosophical approaches, allowing us to consider how we understand our perception of the world we live in on the most profound level.

Moreover, Rabbi Dr. Zarum serves as a regular Scholar-in-Residence at the Central Square Minyan in Hampstead Garden Suburb, where he continues to inspire and educate the Jewish community through showcasing his expertise and wealth of knowledge over a range of topics. This is alongside regular teaching engagement Rabbi Dr Zarum has worldwide.