Biography
Rabbi David Elmaleh serves as the Rabbi of Hechal Shalom Or Oziel Congregation in Surfside, Florida, and is a respected Sephardic rabbinic leader known for his scholarship, warmth, and dedication to Torah and community service.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Rabbi Elmaleh studied in Ner Yisroel Toronto before continuing his Torah education at Yeshivat Nahalat Moshe in Jerusalem under the guidance of Rabbi Yaacov Benaim. He later pursued years of advanced Torah study in kollelim in Eretz Yisrael, the Nahalat Yaakov Kollel in Venezuela, and the Jewish community of Gibraltar.
Rabbi Elmaleh received Rabbinical Ordination from many of the leading Torah authorities of our generation, including Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, Dayan Westheim, Rabbi Falk, Rabbi Paniri, and other distinguished Rabbanim.
His expertise spans Kashrut, Shabbat, Taharat HaMishpacha, Chuppah VeKiddushin, and significant areas of Even HaEzer. He also completed five years of advanced Choshen Mishpat studies under Rabbi Dovid Schoen and served as Rosh Kollel of Netive Ezra Kollel. In addition, he completed extensive Dayanut and Rabbanut studies through the International Halacha Institute (IHI) under the leadership of Dayan Avraham Yaakov Dadoun and the oversight of Rabbi Shlomo Amar.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Hebrew, Rabbi Elmaleh has served the South Florida community since 2013, teaching a wide range of Torah programs and providing guidance in matters of Taharat HaMishpacha, Chatan preparation, Shalom Bayit, family life, and personal growth. He also serves on the Executive Board of Kosher Miami.
Through his leadership, teaching, and communal service, Rabbi Elmaleh continues to strengthen Torah life, Jewish families, and community growth throughout South Florida.