Rabbi Berel was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and studied in Yeshivos in Belgium, Israel, Maryland, Michigan, and New York. He received his Rabbinical Bachelor’s Degree in 2015, and then spent two successful years teaching in Baltimore and Detroit. While completing his rabbinical and postgraduate studies, he spent four years leading services, educational seminars, and community outreach programs in numerous cities across the globe, including Lithuania, Ukraine, Israel, California, Florida, Oklahoma, and many more. He has also taught and lectured on an array of subjects such as Talmud, Halacha, and Chassidic philosophy in New York, Michigan, and Antwerp.
Rochy was born in Brooklyn and holds a degree in Special Education. She taught in a special needs preschool in Brooklyn and directed The Friendship Circle of Manhattan, an organization that serves the special needs community. Rochy has also directed many camps throughout the United States. Her loving character and tender approach have endeared her to countless students and campers over the years.
In March of 2018, the Slavatickis moved to New Hampshire with their oldest child, Mendel, to establish the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center. Since then, their family has grown—Mushky, Liba, and Shmuel were all born in New Hampshire, where they are now being raised as part of the mission to build and strengthen Jewish life in the Seacoast.
Growing up in Chabad communities, Rabbi Berel and Rochy’s passion to inspire and reach out to fellow Jews has been ingrained in them since childhood. Today, they continue to expand Chabad’s programs so that many more can experience Judaism and its traditions in a joyful, meaningful way.