In the Fall of 2008, Congregation Or Torah began writing the next chapter of our proud history with the arrival of Rabbi and Mrs. Engel.

Rabbi Zvi Engel comes to Or Torah from Congregation Ahavath Achim in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he lived with his wife, Laurie, and their two sons, Gavriel and Yaakov.After completing his studies at Hebrew Academy in Cote St. Luc, Rabbi Engel studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel, then earned a degree in Pure & Applied Sciences at Marianopolis College in Montreal. Rabbi Engel holds a B.A. in English Literature from Yeshiva University, and received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) in 2002.

Rabbi Engel taught Torah at the local community day school, Hillel Academy, and was an instructor at Merkaz, a local community high school. In addition, Rabbi Engel served as the Judaic Consultant for the Early Childhood Development Program at the local JCC. He also served as the vice-president of Fairfield County's regional kashrut commission. He is currently a member of the Rabbinical Council of America's Executive Committee.

Since Rabbi Engel's arrival, the shul has increased its learning activities as well as social functions. The Rabbi teaches several shiurim and classes every week and speaks in the several minyanim on Shabbat.

Rabbi Engel has also been involved in activities outside the synagogue. The Rabbi led our shul on a memorable walk to Chabad of Skokie as we joined them at a time of communal sorrow. Rabbi Engel also organized and led a community wide solidarity rally to protest the vandalism against Jewish buildings on Shabbat. He traveled to Israel on a solidarity mission to distribute clothing, toys and a substantial amount of tzadakah which we raised to help our beleaguered brethren under missile attack near the Gaza Strip.