Rabbi Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi of Great Neck Synagogue, grew up in Plainview, New York, where the Young Israel of Plainview under the leadership of Rav Moshe Portnoy zt”l had an enormous impact on his personal experiences. Rabbi Lichter attended HANC and graduated Yeshiva College with a degree in Psychology before studying for semikhah at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He earned his graduate degree at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.
In 2006, Rabbi Lichter began his rabbinic career at the Young Israel of Holliswood, in Queens, NY where he served as the Intern Rabbi under the tutelage of Rabbi Menachem Penner. In 2008, he moved on to Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn NJ, to be the Assistant Rabbi there under the leadership of Rabbi Benjamin Yudin before coming to Great Neck in 2010. Prior to his arrival in Great Neck, he also taught at Moriah School in Englewood, New Jersey for four years.
Rabbi Lichter enjoys making connections in the community through his stimulating shiurim, drashot and classes, Holiday and family programming and perhaps most fun of all, basketball and baseball games. He loves learning with people of all ages as his warmth and respect for all Jews can be seen in every engagement he undertakes. In addition to his responsibilities at GNS, Rabbi Lichter also teaches Talmud and Chumash at North Shore Hebrew Academy for students in grades 6-8.
Rabbi Lichter considers himself extremely fortunate to have his wife, Katie by his side. She is a dynamic addition to the community and involves herself in every aspect of communal life. They enjoy every minute of the excitement and nachas that their four children, Zechariah (7), Yonina (5), Gavi, (4) and Yaffa (1) bring to their lives (at time of writing).
email: ilichter@gns.org