Yisroel Mantel

Mantel was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium. He studied at Yeshivas Beer Yaakov [he] in Be'er Ya'akov, Israel, and later at the Mir yeshiva in Jerusalem.^[2] He reportedly studied mathematics at a university in Zurich, Switzerland.^[3] He has a daughter who lives in Edgware, England.^[4]

In 1994, he was appointed as the rabbi of the Jüdische Gemeinde Luzerne in Lucerne, Switzerland, where he led the Jewish community until September 2006.^[2][5]

On September 17, 2006, Mantel was appointed as the associate rabbi of Khal Adath Jeshurun in Manhattan, New York, under its senior rabbi Zachariah Gelley. His inauguration was attended by leading rabbis including Dovid Feinstein and Reuven Feinstein.^[2] He started leading the community when Gelley became ill, and succeeded him as rabbi following Gelley's death in September 2018. In 2026, Rav Liron Rogovsky was elected to as the next Rav of Khal Adas Yeshurun <a href="https://matzav.com/kaj-elects-rav-liron-rogovsky-as-new-rov-following-rav-mantels-departure/"</a> ^[6][7] He became recognized as one of the most senior pulpit rabbis in the United States.^[8]

During an event in June 2008, Rabbi Mantel asserted that the philosophy of Torah im Derech Eretz was no longer viable in the era. This philosophy, founded by Samson Raphael Hirsch, calls for engagement between Jewish religious law and culture and society. Mantel argued that its implementation was only possible during Hirsch's lifetime. His statement angered members of the community and led to the resignation of its president, Eric Erlbach.^[9]

The Jewish community of Gateshead, England is an ultraconservative Haredi community of 4,000 members.^[10][8] In January 2020, following the departure of Shraga Feivel Zimmerman to lead Kehillas Federation in London, Mantel was initially offered the position of rabbi for the Gateshead community but declined, citing his commitment to his community.^[4] In October 2025, he accepted the role, explaining that he wished to move closer to his children and grandchildren. The president of the Gateshead community, Meir Bodner, praised the selection in a letter to the community, describing Mantel as "respected, renowned both as a talmid chochom of stature and with decades of experience in rabbonus (rabbinic service) and communal leadership."^[8]

Rav Mantel visited Gateshead during November 2025 to deliver sermons and shiurim and meet with community members. He was elected in a vote held after his visit, receiving 97% of the support.^[3] On 23rd jun 2026 Rabbi Mantel arrived in Gateshead where he was welcomed by the roshey yeshivos, va'ad horabonim, motzim and children of town walking down Bewick road. on the 25th Jun the hachtoroh took place in the bewick centre hall with life hookup for ladies in the new shul hall, after greeting of the parnas/president Mr M Bodner, and tehillim by Rav M Y karnowsky, the Chairman rav Y L Wittler called up rav Y Ehrentru to read out and give the ksav rabonus, Reb Avrohom Gurvics and Rav S F Zimmerman former rov of gateshead and now Av beis din of Federation in London gave their divrey brocho, gest speakers were Rav Shif of Antwerp and Rav C M Levy of Zurich. after Mr Y Schleider former parnes gave the Rov a new tallis the Rov addressed his new kehilla. Sruli Bamberger of Zurich sang acompanied by the Gateshead choir led by M Y Fordsham, and Gatesheds known boys choir led by R Gershon Fordsham. Rabbonim from Manchester London and beyond came to butiefy the event.