People: A Conversation with Rabbi David Schlusselberg

At Lauren Ross Design, we believe that a life well-lived is an art form — guided by intention, elevated by dedication and shaped by the stories we carry.

In our People series, we sit down with individuals whose paths reflect both purpose and passion — voices that inspire, create, and illuminate.

Rabbi David Schlusselberg is one such voice. A teacher, spiritual guide, and thinker, Rabbi Schlusselberg brings a grounded warmth and intellectual depth to everything he does. His journey weaves together tradition and contemporary thought, offering a nuanced perspective on what it means to live a spiritual, meaningful life in the modern world.

In this conversation, we explore his path to the rabbinate — a journey sparked not by tradition alone, but by a profound personal awakening at age nineteen while studying in Israel. There, Rabbi Schlusselberg discovered the transformative power of Torah and a deep calling to help others navigate both spiritual and everyday challenges. It was this fusion of learning and service that revealed his life’s purpose with clarity, setting him on a path to become not only a teacher of Torah, but a voice of compassion, wisdom, and guidance for thousands across the globe.

How did your journey in life lead you to becoming a Rabbi?

I became more observant in my Judaism when I was 19 years old while learning in Israel. It was at that time that I both enjoyed learning Torah for the first time in my life, and simultaneously was helping friends through issues they were having (religious and non-religious challenges). It was that desire to share the Torah and help Jews that led me to want to be a rabbi. I knew then and there with clarity that I was put here on earth for this mission. I became a rabbi a few years later and I serve as a teacher of Torah in a private Jewish school in New Jersey. 

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a spiritual leader?

In Orthodox Judaism, many people become rabbis to teach Torah, and not to have a congregation. I don't have a congregation and Synagogue I work at, but over the past year and a half, I have been reached out to by hundreds, if not thousands, of people from across the world. It is my presence on social media and the people I have been able to guide and help that has been extremely meaningful and deeply rewarding. It is hard to pick a specific example, but I have literally had multiple people that felt I saved their lives (in the literal sense, as they were suicidal or were in a dangerous situation), or people who have shared with me that I inspired them to go to synagogue for the first time in decades.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being in your position?

The greatest challenge is probably finding a balance to all the things I do in life. I have a full-time job in a high school, I have 3 young children, and I have many people who reach out daily (which I am not paid for). I spend many hours a day on social media, and it comes with a cost to other areas of life. I know the impact I am making, so I am willing to sacrifice other areas for this, but it certainly is challenging. My hope is that one day I will be sponsored to do what I do, so I can at least make some money for my family while doing this work, but I never want to take money from the individuals I am helping.

In today's age what are some of the ways you believe we can help guide younger generations in navigating the world they live in?

The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot says that a person should have a rabbi. Whether a person is Jewish or not, the simple idea is that everyone should have a mentor; someone who can help guide them through life. We all need guidance, and young people, living in such a challenging world, need to be able to have someone to turn to.

How do you stay centered and at peace in your own life?

I am appreciative to God for the blessings I have. Even though it is a crazy world out there, I truly feel blessed, and I am appreciative of that which I have. I also face a lot of antisemitism, which can drive some people crazy, but I simply ignore these people and don't let it get under my skin. I tell myself that they are people who are uneducated and I don't pay attention to the hate they spew.

As we approach entering the Pesach seder I am reminded of how powerful sharing our stories are. Is there a specific story you would like to share that demonstrates one of G-d’s many miracles in your life?

I have always had a desire to accomplish things outside of teaching in high school and have been very ambitious in pursuing some of these dreams.  I have put tens of thousands of dollars and thousands of hours into trying to become a known musician, and when that failed, I tried to run a business, which ultimately failed. In those moments, I was so frustrated and didn't understand God's plan, and why I was unsuccessful. It is only now, years later, when I am running my Instagram account, where I am really making a difference in many people's lives, where I can look back at my journey and am so fortunate that I failed. Had I been a famous musician, or a successful entrepreneur, I would have never taken the opportunity to help so many people.

Are there any closing words of wisdom you would like to leave with our readers?

Don't be scared to change the status quo in your life. All too often, we get too comfortable in our current situation that we never seek out opportunities to grow religiously, or follow our dreams. It is never too late to change, and go outside of your comfort zone. I would recommend speaking to people you look up to, and people you trust, to ask advice about making changes that could be drastic, but overall, especially religiously, it is always good to grow and become the person you were always scared to be, but always wanted to become. If I can be of any assistance to any of you reading this, you can dm me on Instagram @rabbi_david_schlusselberg (for those of you without Instagram, you can email me at daveschluss@gmail.com).