Rabbi Pini and Chani Hecht

Short Biography

Rabbi Pini was born in Madison, Wisconsin, USA and raised in Sandton, Johannesburg where his parents founded and direct Chabad of Sandton. After completing his schooling at the Torah Academy School in Johannesburg, he spent a number of years in several Yeshivot around the world, including Israel, London and Connecticut, USA and received his rabbinical ordination in Johannesburg from the esteemed Rabbi Levi Wineberg.

While completing his Rabbinical and Postgraduate studies, he spent many months leading services and community outreach in the USA, Europe and around South Africa.

After his wedding he and Chani moved back to Johannesburg to take the position of the Youth Rabbi in Chabad of Sandton, as well as a leading an executive learning programme for adults and establishing children's creative holiday workshops.

In 2005 Rabbi Pini and Chani moved to Cape Town to take up the position of education and programme director at Chabad Cape Town, leading varied and innovative outreach programmes for all ages. In 2010-2011 Rabbi Hecht spent a successful year as Kiruv director at the Camps Bay Hebrew Congregation.

Chani was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium and grew up in a warm and hospitable home, something she continues to emulate in her own home today. After graduating from high school in Antwerp, she completed a year of intensive teaching training at the Beth Chana Seminary in Safed and with her love for children went on to teach in numerous schools around the world, including Manhattan, Pretoria and Antwerp. Chani is currently in her fourth year of teaching at the Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School where she also is involved in the Jewish studies curriculum development.

Chani has been a major asset to the community, using her remarkable creativity and organizational skills to organize creative Women's gatherings and children's holiday programmes.

The Hechts are joined by their precious children, Yehuda (7), Yisroel (6) and Esther (3) who have already become primary (and very popular) partners in their parents' work.