After attending college in England and receiving an Engineering degree, Rabbi Bassous attended various yeshivot in England and Israel. He received his smicha (ordination) from the Shehebar Sephardic Center (Midrash Sephardi) in Jerusalem as well as passing the exams of the Israel Chief Rabbinate. From there, he went to Vancouver where he instituted daily minyanim and adult education classes. Rabbi Bassous is also a mohel (ritual circumcision), sofer (scribe) and shochet (ritual slaughterer).

Rabbi Bassous and his wife Clara have seven children aged between 7 and 25 and one grandchild.

Under Rabbi Bassous' leadership, Congregation Etz Ahaim has grown substantially. He has instituted three daily services, as well as a rigorous adult education program. Click here for a schedule. The congregation recently dedicated a new Bet Midrash, as well as a large Sukkah that can seat 100 people. Rabbi Bassous has also co-founded Ben Porat Yosef. The Sephardic Yeshiva of Bergen County. The only Sephardic Yeshiva serving Central and Northern New Jersey and Manhattan. Click here Rabbi Bassous also serves as the Early Childhood Judaic Director of Magen David Yeshivah in Brooklyn, New York.

Rabbi Bassous has also produced a wide variety of Torah Tapes which are available on our Torah Tape Page and a book - Jewish Law Meets Modern Challenges. Click here.

Selected articles of Rabbi Bassous are available on our Halahka Page.

Feel free to contact Rabbi Bassous, by e-mail, using the form To Order Material , or by telephone at (732) 247-3839.