About Us: Rabbi

Rabbi David Kaplan was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He was educated in Vancouver Day Schools before attending Ner Israel Yeshivas in California and Baltimore, MD. While in Ner Israel, Rabbi Kaplan developed a special relationship with the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg zt"l, with whom he studied daily. After receiving his semicha from Rabbi Weinberg in 1987, Rabbi Kaplan accepted a position as a rebbe in the Yeshiva College in Johannesburg, South Africa. There, he had the opportunity to learn with the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Avraham Tanzer, a world renowned master Jewish educator. Two and a half years later, Rabbi Kaplan became Rabbi of Beth Zion Congregation in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, where he developed his skills as Rabbi, Baal Koreh, Chazan, and school principal.

Before becoming the rabbi at Congregation Schomre Israel, Rabbi Kaplan was rebbe at the Margolin Hebrew Academy Yeshiva of the South in Memphis, TN. In 2004, he was honored as Teacher of the Year and, in 2006, became head of Judaic Studies.

Rabbi Kaplan has been actively involved in each community in which he has lived. He was a member of the Toronto Vaad HaRabonim, and served on the national board of B'nai B'rith Canada. Rabbi Kaplan, his wife Rochel, and son Tully, became part of our synagogue family in 2008.

As spiritual leader of Congregation Schomre Israel, Rabbi Kaplan's enthusiasm and knowledge have added to the vitality of our shul as well as to the entire Jewish community.