OUR RABBIS
RABBI SHMUEL LESHER
ASSISTANT RABBI
rabbi.lesher@bayt.ca
RABBI CHAIM METZGER
RABBINIC ASSISTANT
Rabbi Shmuel Lesher was a Machon Beren Kollel Elyon fellow at Yeshiva University (RIETS). Before completing his rabbinic ordination at RIETS, Rabbi Lesher studied at yeshivos including Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim and Yeshiva Gedolah of YGW. During his tenure at RIETS, he was a night seder rebbe and a SBMP Shoel U’Meishiv for Yeshiva University’s Undergraduate Torah Studies Program. Previously, he served as the rabbinic intern at Congregation Ahavas Achim (Highland Park, NJ) for two years. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at the Ferkauf School of Psychology. Rabbi Lesher's writing has been featured in various publications. Rabbi Lesher and his wife Leora have three children, Daniella, Gavriel, and Zecharia.
Rabbi Chaim Metzger grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he was actively involved in his shul’s Youth Minyan and served as a group leader. After graduating from Torah Academy of Bergen County, Rabbi Metzger studied for two years in Yeshivat Har Etzion. Afterwards he enrolled in Yeshiva University, completing a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics, an M.A in Mathematics from the Katz Graduate School, and an M.A. in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Upon completion of his studies at YU, Rabbi Metzger returned to Yeshivat Har Etzion and studied in the Kollel Gavoah for three years.Rabbi Metzger has long sought to bring serious academic rigor to his Torah learning, incorporating his knowledge of Mathematics in teaching at Mesivta Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch, and utilizing his knowledge of Machine Learning to create a predictive neural network for Taamei Hamikra (the cantillation notes of the Torah reading). While in Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rabbi Chaim was involved with the American program, teaching and mentoring Gap Year students. Rabbi Metzger is married to Shira Metzger, who works as a teacher and informal educator. They have a daughter named Talya, who is one year old. The Metzgers look forward to becoming part of the BAYT community, where Rabbi Metzger will serve as Rabbinic Assistant.