Rabbi Shmuel Gabbai, graduate of leading yeshivas (Beit Meir and Ponivezh) was trained as an educator. Over the years he has established a number of yeshivas for young boys, serving both as rosh yeshiva and lecturer.

Rabbi Gabbai was one of those visionaries who had responded to the impassioned request of the Modiin residents to establish active community centers which, they had felt, were so sorely lacking. At the directive of his rabbis, he left behind all that he was doing and established Lemaan Achai – an organization which is completely devoted to the spiritual and communal needs of Modiin and its residents.

Drawing from his experience as an educator and using his unique, personal approach, Rabbi Gabbai also does much work with teens at risk. Since 2005 he has opened many facilities which cater to troubled youth from the greater Modiin area.

Rabbi Gabbai generously provides of his wisdom and experience, and is intimately familiar with and involved in every one of his projects. He shoulders the burden of maintaining the various Lemaan Achai activities and paves a philosophy and style that is unique to each different institution. Rabbi Gabbai devotes himself completely to this work, which he considers both vital and sacred.