Days after Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet gave a lecture at Park East Synagogue that led to a confrontation with a member over his views, Schochet announced that he will be staying at his synagogue in London.
Schochet, a Chabad-affiliated rabbi who has served as rabbi of London’s Mill Hill United Synagogue for three decades, released a statement on Thursday confirming that he will not be moving to Park East Synagogue, according to the Jewish Chronicle.
“I am flattered that the prestigious Park East Synagogue courted me and that the search committee and eminent rabbi offered me the job in principle, subject to community vote,” Schochet said. “But I have written to the search committee this morning to thank them and decline the offer because the amazing Mill Hill community has been and will remain home.”
Schochet, as a candidate for the position, delivered an hour-long lecture to a crowd of 100 people at the synagogue on Sunday, including members of the search committee. But following the talk, a member of the audience, K.S. criticized Schochet for his past public opposition to same-sex marriage. Schochet responded by accusing him of engaging in “cancel culture.” K.S. had also previously criticized Schochet on Twitter for his rhetoric regarding Palestinians and their Jewish advocates.
K.S. should know that the Arabs kill homosexuals. But they deserve their own State, money, weapons and lots of Israeli Land b/c they are ALL peaceful, loving, kind, sensitive people. Ask the Palei family whose two angelic looking children were murdered days ago. And the countelss thousands of others related to victims of Arab terror.
