Following a 25-year tenure at FYHS, Rabbi Moishe Schecter is retiring from his role as a rebbe, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and profound impact on generations of students. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Rabbi Schecter pursued his studies in South Fallsburg, New York and Brisk in Eretz Yisroel, and later spent ten years in Kollel in Lakewood, New Jersey, where he received his smicha. In 1998, he moved to Chicago with the intention of doing outreach. “I came to Chicago to do kiruv for a year, but that was not what Hashem had planned for me," he recalls. Instead, he found his calling elsewhere: as a Rabbi in Mikor Hachaim and as a Rebbe at the Yeshiva, where he began teaching in 2000.
Over the years, Rabbi Schecter taught various levels of shiurim, from middle and beginner shiurim earlier in his time at the Yeshiva to honors classes. His teaching style was holistic, focusing on both the academic and personal growth of his students. "My biggest nachas is watching them grow, especially as they return from Eretz Yisrael," he says with pride. He emphasizes the importance of building lasting relationships with his students, many of whom he remains in touch with. "I loved not only teaching them but also developing a kesher with the boys."
Rabbi Schecter’s approach to teaching was unique, blending traditional and chassidic elements, which the Yeshiva supported wholeheartedly. "The Yeshiva was very allowing for my style," he fondly recalls. "Whether it was incorporating gematria or Chassidus, I was given the freedom to be myself."
Reflecting on his early days at the Yeshiva, Rabbi Schecter shares, "My first month teaching at the Yeshiva, there was a student who wasn't doing well. When I spoke to him privately, he told me, ‘I dislike Gemara.’ I had never heard those words in my life, and I was almost in shock. The student said, ‘if you leave me alone for the rest of the year, I promise I'll get a 90 on every test.’ Sure enough, he got 90s on every test and we ended up having a great year together. Today, this student learns in Kollel all day, only working during his lunch break. He has two seforim published and counting and is a very successful businessman. That happened in my first month at the Yeshiva. There are so many lessons in that story, and I have kept up with him all these years."
His involvement extended beyond the Yeshiva, seamlessly integrating with his role at Beis Medrash Mikor Hachaim, a shul he founded in 1999. "Everything kind of worked together," he says. "The Yeshiva and the shul complemented each other beautifully."
Rabbi Schecter also fondly recalls running a summer program for high school boys, largely populated by FYHS students, combining learning with weekly activities like mini-golf and go-karting. "I learned very quickly that you have to make learning fun," he notes. "That was one of the keys to connecting with the boys."
In addition to his numerous accomplishments, Rabbi Schecter recalls one of his great feats at the Yeshiva during the early years. "We used to have to come to the Yeshiva for Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah. So, I had to be there, but I had a shul! When the Yeshiva hired me, they understood that I can't miss everything in shul. So, on Shemini Atzeres I would walk from the Yeshiva to Mikor for hakafos, which were at 8:00 at night. I would dance seven hakafos, walk back to the Yeshiva, and then because the Yeshiva started late, I danced another seven hakafos. I walked eight miles and danced 14 hakafos in about six hours. That's one of my great feats from the Yeshiva, which is pretty amazing!"
One of Rabbi Schecter’s greatest sources of pride has been witnessing the success of his students. “I’ve had students who are rebbeim in yeshivas and students who are CEOs of companies. Baruch Hashem, I have a lot to be proud of,” he remarks. "Some of the biggest joys in life were visiting different yeshivas in Eretz Yisroel where my students were learning. To see them growing and shteiging was truly fulfilling." He also officiated at the weddings of many of his students, which he describes as a real highlight.
As he retires from the Yeshiva, Rabbi Schecter plans to focus on his role at Mikor HaChaim full-time. Reflecting on his time at Skokie Yeshiva, Rabbi Schecter is filled with gratitude. "I appreciate everything the Yeshiva did for me," he says. "They gave me the space to be myself and not have to fit into any sort of box. That’s very rare and very much appreciated.”
Among the many parts of his time at the Yeshiva that he will cherish, Rabbi Schecter noted the meaningful relationships he formed with the other Yeshiva rabbeim. “I’ve grown from my fellow rabbeim in so many ways. They are some of the purest and most authentic talmidei chachamim I’ve ever known. They’ve taught me so much and I look forward to keeping up with them. "
“Rabbi Schecter is a legend at the Yeshiva,” remarks HTC CEO, Rabbi Shmuel L. Schuman. “He dedicated the last 25 years of his life as a dynamic and caring rebbe and brought to us a dynamic style of Torah learning, blending Litvish and Chassidic sources in a way that inspired all of us to love and appreciate Yiddishkeit. Who can forget his gematrias, roshei teivos, and other remazim that spiced up the Torah he imparted. He will be sorely missed.”
Rabbi Schecter looks forward to continuing to see his countless students in his shul and throughout Chicago. His commitment to education, his innovative teaching style, and his deep connections with his students leave an indelible mark on the Yeshiva and the broader community. HTC wishes him mazal and hatzlacha in all his future endeavors.
Rabbi Schecter plans to stay in touch with his students and can be reached by phone, text or WhatsApp at (773) 960-8820.
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