Isaac Ansell Forsyth grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland with, as he describes, “my wonderful family – parents and older two brothers. I was not particularly interested in Judaism, so all credit to my mother who made sure we kept involved in the Edinburgh Jewish community, even when it meant dragging us off the football (soccer) field to go to shul or cheder.”
Isaac was also sent to a few Jewish summer camps (namely Tribe), and it was while at camp that he first really started becoming interested in Judaism, asking questions and exploring. From when he was about 13 or 14, he wanted to connect more to Judaism, and he slowly increased his commitment based on what he had be able to learn.
Once he finished high school, he went to South Africa to volunteer in underprivileged communities with the Jabulani Project. Little did he know that, through his interaction with the Durban Jewish community and a particularly special family, he would discover something fascinating called Torah!
Isaac returned to university in Scotland with an iPod full of shiurim from the Yeshiva Gedolah of Johannesburg. Over the next two years, he listened to these shiurim starting learning with study partners via skype and in person, until he couldn’t wait any longer. As Isaac said, “I needed to learn how to study Torah for real!” So he paused his university studies in Scotland and headed for Jerusalem to join us at Shapell’s.
Isaac is gaining tremendously from his Shapell’s experience. He shared, “In my time here I have merited to spend time with many amazing and inspiring students and Rabbis, who have taught me so many skills in Torah study and lessons in life. I have learned to break down halachic statements, to feel the default position, to appreciate the many qualities Jews of all different kinds have to bring to Klal Yisrael, and so much more. I am ever grateful to G-d for the opportunity to learn in Shapell’s, and hope to do my duty to spread the love that I have experienced here.”