Rabbi Raphy Garson was born in Manchester and brought up in Gibraltar. He spent four years studying in Israel before marrying Deborah. Upon returning to the UK he studied at Kings College University Of London, and graduated with a (2:1) degree in Computer Science and Management. He then returned to Israel for a further 4½ years, to study for Semicha (Rabbincal Ordination) under the auspices of the Chief Rabbinate and the former Chief Rabbi Of Israel – Harav Mordechai Eliyahu z”l. In July 2005 he arrived back in the UK with Deborah and their children to take up position as Rav and Rebbetzin of Ohr Yisrael.
Deborah was raised in London and attended the Hasmonean High School. She graduated from Michlalah Seminary in Jerusalem before retuning to the UK. In 1998 she graduated from Middlesex University with a first class honours degree in education & information technology. This was followed by a postgraduate in the Psychology of Special Needs at the Institute of Education.
Deborah has taken additional courses in marriage counselling, family issues, children’s education and topics relation to adolescence, giving her a balanced, well-grounded knowledge to help the community.
She recently qualified as a Breast Feeding Support Councillor and is now able to practically help the young mothers of our community.