Tadhg Cleary
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Yeshivat Chovevei Torah,
Victoria University of Wellington
Rabbi Tadhg Cleary | |
|---|---|
| Personal life | |
| Born | May 6, 1993 |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Parent(s) | Jon and Jennifer Cleary |
| Alma mater | Yeshivat Har Etzion, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Victoria University of Wellington |
| Occupation | Jewish rabbi and spiritual leader |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Denomination | Orthodox Judaism |
| Profession | rabbi |
| Yeshiva | Yeshivat Chovevei Torah |
| Residence | Washington, D.C. |
| Semikhah | Rabbi Avi Weiss |
Tadhg Seamus Cleary (b. May 6, 1993) is a rabbi from New Zealand. He was ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT) in June 2025 and is notable for being the first ever openly homosexual rabbi ordained by an American Orthodox institution.[1]
Cleary grew up in Wellington, New Zealand with his parents, Dr. Jon Cleary, an orthopedic surgeon, and Jennifer (née Sellen), a nurse. Cleary has a brother, Joshua, and a sister, Shoshana.
The Clearys had a loosely religiously affiliated home, sometimes attending a Progressive Jewish synagogue (akin to Reform Judaism in the United States). Cleary was first introduced to greater observance at age 12 as a result of an interaction with a religious mentor while studying for his bar mitzvah. Curiosity led him to investigate further, and he has considered himself Orthodox since 14. By then, Cleary was performing daily religious rituals and observing both Shabbat and kosher laws.[1]
After attending Scots College in Strathmore Park, Wellington for high school, Cleary planned to spend a year learning abroad at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shvut, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, but ended up remaining there for two additional years. Afterward, he returned to Wellington to earn a college degree.[1] He studied law, educational psychology and philosophy (ethics) at Victoria University. Before he changed course to become a rabbi, his intention was to become a barrister, with an eye toward ending up in the judiciary in New Zealand.
While in high school, Cleary was a serious water sportsman, nationally placing in swimming. He was a champion in underwater hockey, and played water polo and field hockey as well. He benefited from excellent instruction in the school choir, which laid the foundation for later chazzanut abilities.