Rabbi Joshua Hess, a native of Los Angeles, CA, attended Yeshiva University of Los Angeles High School (“YULA”) before studying in Israel for two years at Yeshivas Ohr Yerushalayim.  Upon returning from Israel, Rabbi Hess studied in Yeshiva University for one year before transferring to Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, MD., from which he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Talmudic law and his rabbinical ordination (semicha) in 2006.

While studying for his semicha, Rabbi Hess served as a Rebbe in a Yeshiva high school for teenagers at risk where he was a role model for how to live a torah life in a modern community. At the same time, he taught Talmud and Halakha classes every morning at a local synagogue.

After receiving semicha, Rabbi Hess and his family moved to Denver, CO., where he served as the Rabbi of the DAT Minyan, a dynamic modern orthodox synagogue that grew from seventy to more than one hundred families during his tenure. Rabbi Hess was instrumental in making the DAT Minyan into a full fledged synagogue.  Under his guidance, the Shul implemented daily Shachris and Mincha/Maariv Minyanim, had a full week of learning opportunities, as well as a yearly schedule of social program and events to look forward to.   He was well loved, respected, and admired by his Shul and the larger Denver community.  In addition to his rabbinic duties, Rabbi Hess taught Navi and Halakha to middle school students at the Denver Academy of Torah.  Rabbi Hess has completed his coursework towards his Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Iliff School of Theology, and will complete his fieldwork at the Boggs Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital this year.

Rabbi Hess has been married to his eishes chayil, Naava, a New York native, since 2002.  Naava is an accomplished educator in her own right, having taught elementary school at a yeshiva in Baltimore and in a pre-school program during the family’s tenure in Denver. Naava will be continuing her career in education by teaching Religious Studies at The Kushner School in Livingston. They are blessed with four beautiful children, Dani, Akiva, Esti, and Dalia, ranging in age from six to one year old.  They are looking forward to spending time with everyone in the community and sharing their vision for enhancing Jewish life in Linden.

Rabbi Hess was featured in an article in The Jewish State and in another article in the New Jersey Jewish News.

Rabbi’s Shiurim (see Full Calendar for more details):

Talmud Shiur (Megillah): 8 am Shabbat morning.

Women’s Shiur (Tefilah & Halacha): Approximately 1.5 hours before Mincha on Shabbat.

Sunday Shiur (Rugalach & Responsa): Every other Sunday morning after davening.

Lunch & Learns (Pirkei Avot): Every other Tuesday at 12 noon.

Contact Rabbi Hess:

Email Rabbi Hess | Phone: (908) 486-8616 | Twitter: @RabbiHess