Rabbi has big plans for KDVP Primary

SUZANNE BELLING

PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED

After studying at Ohr Somayach Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Rabbi Seeff returned to South Africa to complete his studies in electrical engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.

The son of Stanley Seeff, president of the Sydenham-Highlands North Hebrew Congregation, and his wife Ingrid, Rabbi Seeff was no stranger to the Jewish communal world. He was actively involved in Bnei Akiva for many years and in 2004 became rosh machaneh.

Rabbi Seeff’s love for Jewish learning led to him returning to Israel, where he studied at Yeshivat HaKotel and in 2006 he married Debbie Kaplan. They lived in Israel for a further three years, while Rabbi Seeff studied at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

He obtained his smicha while in Israel from Rav Zalman Nehemia Goldberg, and the eldest of their three sons was also born in Israel.

It was then that South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein approached him to come back and work for the SA Board of Jewish Education to run the Beit Midrash programme at King David Victory Park High School, an offer he accepted. On their return he also learned and taught at the Mizrachi Kollel for two years.

“The Board of Jewish Education then created a new position – head of Jewish life – where my role was to oversee all matters of Jewish life, formal and informal, for the Board.

“I oversaw curriculum development, teacher training, supervised the Department of Informal Jewish Education, and helped create Kesher, the adult education division of the SABJE.

“The intention of Kesher is to inspire parents through different educational initiatives, including Hebrew classes, parenting classes, home learning groups and opportunities to learn with their children.”

In April last year, the SABJE appointed Rabbi Seeff as acting principal of King David Primary School Victory Park, after principal Jannie le Roux left the school.

“I enjoyed the job and applied for the permanent position, to which I was appointed in September last year.”

Rabbi Seeff says he is “passionate about Jewish education and passionate about the South African Jewish community” and hopes to “infuse the campus with a positive energy and educational excellence”.