Rabbinate
The Israelite Community Basel is an Orthodox-run united congregation that respects and welcomes Jewish members of all religious orientations.
From Brit Milah to Bar and Bat Mitzvah to bereavement support, the Rabbinate of the IGB is there for you individually.
Rabbi Elimelech Vanzetta
Community Rabbi Elimelech Vanzetta trained at leading yeshivot in Israel, where he studied various areas of Halacha and was ordained in both Yoreh Yoreh (Rabbanut) and Yadin Yadin (Dayanut) by the Supreme Rabbinical Court of Israel as well as by prominent contemporary Halachic authorities. Dayan Vanzetta maintains a particularly close and ongoing relationship with many of the leading Rabbonim of our time.
He was Director of the European Beth Din (2019 – 2024) and the Center for Halachic Arbitration and Mediation. Previously, Rabbi Vanzetta was the founding Rabbi of Ahavas Yisrael Synagogue (Edgware, 2016 – 2019), Senior Lecturer (Magid Shiur) for US in The City, and Rabbinical and Halachic Advisor to the United Synagogue Burial Society (Chevrah Kaddishah), where he worked closely with the London Beth Din. Rabbi Vanzetta has been the community rabbi of the Jewish community of Basel since August 2024.
He is also consulted by rabbis and dayanim worldwide on all aspects of Jewish law and has written and published widely. Previous positions as community rabbi, Rosh Kollel, Dayan, and Executive Secretary of the Conference of European Rabbis have taken him to various countries in Europe and South America.
Rabbi Vanzetta served as Deputy Chief Rabbi of Chile for nearly a decade.
In addition to his rabbinical studies, Rabbi Vanzetta studied at the University of Milan and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is also a trained musician and speaks 8 languages.
He is married to Rochel, an experienced psychotherapist, and they have five children.