Hanoch Hecht, also known as the 6 Minute Rabbi, is the spiritual leader of the Rhinebeck Jewish in Rhinebeck, NY and director of Chabad of Dutchess County. He is the son of Shea Hecht and the grandson of the late Jacob J. Hecht.

Biography edit

Hanoch Hecht is one of ten children to Shea and Bella Hecht, born in Brooklyn, NY.[citation needed] He grew up as a sixth generation Brooklynite and attended the Lubavitch Yeshiva Central School System, where he received a BA in rabbinical studies.[citation needed] He received his rabbinic ordination in São Paulo, Brazil.[citation needed]

Hecht assumed rabbinical leadership at a very young age, starting with Chabad of Dutchess County where he is the director. The Chabad Dutchess House is designed to serve the students of the many colleges in Dutchess County. He then founded a modern orthodox style Chabad synagogue, the Rhinebeck Jewish Center, along with his wife Tzivie, where they head numerous programs that benefit the community on a daily basis.[1][2][3]

Hecht was chosen to be one of the 40 under 40 by the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce in 2016. This acknowledgment chooses the 40 biggest shakers and doers under the age of 40.[4][5]

Six Minute Rabbi edit

Hecht is also known as the Six Minute Rabbi. He is the innovator of the well-known Six Minute Rabbi Torah Class in which he teaches about the Jewish faith in a mere 6 concentrated minutes. This program is rapidly gaining a big following; particularly in the business world where time is of the essence.[6] These Torah classes has gained much fan fare and has been written about in many Jewish publications for its innovations such as the Jewish week and Ami magazine.[7]

First rabbi ever to compete on Food Network's Chopped edit

Hecht competed on Food Network's popular show Chopped (episode "Leap of Faith") where he competed against a priest, a nun-in-training, and a pastor in the Chopped Kitchen![8][9][10] He made history by competing and not tasting any of the food he cooked because it was prepared in a non kosher kitchen. His recipes have been featured in publications all over the globe as he explores kosher and modern Jewish Cuisine.[11][12][9][13]

Radio and press edit

Hecht was a co-host of the Shema Yisroel Radio Program heard in the Hudson Valley every Sunday morning on three different stations.[14] He has written some very provocative op-ed pieces.[15][16] He also made headlines when he taught newly elected senator Kirsten Gillibrand about orthodox Jews not shaking hands of the opposite gender.[17][18]

Model citizen edit

Hecht has fought for more police in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY to help stop hate crimes.[19]

Helping Jewish life on campus at CIA edit

Hecht is extensively involved in the Jewish campus life at the Culinary Institute of America. Aside from Kosher lectures at the school, he hosts numerous events throughout the year catered to the students to provide a Jewish flavor to accompany their CIA experience. He also hosts Shabbat meals at his house for any students who wish to attend.[20]

Toys for hospitalized children edit

Taking a leaf out of his father Shea's book, Hecht is an active volunteer for Toys for Hospitalized Children, a program that provides toys for children around the country that are unfortunately hospitalized.[21][22]

Birkat HaChama edit

Hecht has brought global awareness to special Birkat Hachama blessing by going up in a hot air balloon, together with Gaddy Yaari, and performing the blessings from the sky.[23][24][25]

Publications edit

Hecht is the author of A Kabbalah of Food published by Monkfish publishing reviewed in Publishers weekly " Rabbi Hecht, a former competitor on the Food Network show Chopped, combines his passion for Jewish teaching and food in this entertaining volume. He contends that "[c]ooking, sharing, and enjoying food... creates a dwelling place for God within us and allows us to elevate the spark of godliness within the physical world."[26][27]

References edit

  1. ^ "Local News - The Poughkeepsie Journal - poughkeepsiejournal.com". The Poughkeepsie Journal.
  2. ^ 2006 Archives shmais.com[dead link]
  3. ^ "Communities throughout region holding Memorial Day events". Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  4. ^ Commerce, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of. "40 Under 40 Shaker Award recipients". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  5. ^ "2015 Forty Under 40 Honorees". www.dcrcoc.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-27.
  6. ^ "The 6 Minute Rabbi - Innovated by Rabbi Hanoch Hecht".
  7. ^ "Like Speed Dating, but with Torah". Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  8. ^ "Leap of Faith".
  9. ^ a b "Chabad Rabbi Competes on CHOPPED". 9 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Chabad Rabbi from New York Competes on Food Network's 'Chopped' Cooking Competition".
  11. ^ "Chabad Rabbi to Compete on "Chopped"". Archived from the original on 2016-11-12. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  12. ^ "Chabad Rabbi is 'Chopped' in Final Round of Food Network Showdown". 23 June 2016.
  13. ^ "Rabbi Takes Second in Clergy-Based 'Chopped' Competition - Chabad emissary in Upstate New York puts the spotlight on kosher cooking - Chabad.org". Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  14. ^ "REAL COUNTRY".
  15. ^ Chabad On Line (18 July 2009). "COLlive.com - Chabad Lubavitch Community News Service". collive.
  16. ^ "Opinion: What Are Bochurim In Shidduchim Thinking? » Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry".
  17. ^ "Albany, NY - Newly Appointed NY Senator: Getting To Know NYers, Orthodox Man I Nod My Head Not Shake Hands". 27 January 2009.
  18. ^ Chabad On Line (26 January 2009). "Picture of the Day". collive.
  19. ^ "Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY - Jewish Community Outraged on Attack They Claim was Bias". 6 October 2006.
  20. ^ Chabad Lubavitch (28 August 2007). "Chabad Offers CIA's Chefs A Sampling of Rosh Hashana". Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters.
  21. ^ Jewish Breaking News[dead link]
  22. ^ Chabad On Line (30 August 2009). "Toys for Hospitalized Kids". collive.
  23. ^ "CrownHeights.info - Chabad News, Crown Heights News, Lubavitch News". CrownHeights.info - Chabad News, Crown Heights News, Lubavitch News. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Poughkeepsie, NY - Chabad Rabbi To Take Congregation in Hot Air Ballon for Birkat HaChama". 5 April 2009.
  25. ^ "Satellite News and latest stories | The Jerusalem Post". fr.jpost.com. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Religion Book Review: A Kabbalah of Food: Stories, Teachings, Recipes by Hanoch Hecht. Monkfish, $16.95 trade paper (280p) ISBN 978-1-948626-31-6". November 2020.
  27. ^ "A Kabbalah of Food - MonkfishMonkfish".