Rabbi Eliahu Birnbaum, was born in Uruguay and made aliya in 1972. He studied in Har Zion Yeshiva and received his rabbinical ordination in 1982. He holds a Masters degree in Jewish Thought from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is writing his Ph.D. in Jewish Philosophy at the Bar-Ilan University and is on the staff of the Rappoport Center at the University.
Between 1985 and 1990 he worked in the World Zionist Organization in various capacities: lecturer to youth in Central America on Zionism and Judaism, Latin America Adviser and Manager of Spanish Publications in the Department of Culture and Religious Education.
He was the Chief Rabbi of Uruguay between 1992-1997. Since 1998 he has served as Director of the Straus-Amiel Institute, Ohr Torah Stone (for training rabbis and spiritual leaders for work in Diaspora communities), a Rabbinical Judge (Dayan) on the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Conversion Court and was sent by the Israel Chief Rabbi to special missions in India, Peru and other countries. Rabbi Birnbaum also served as the Rabbi of Shavei Yisrael during 15 years, an association which deals with the descendants of the Jewish Nation around the world (from the ten tribes in India to the Anousim in Spain). He was the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Turin, Italy and teaching Halachah in the High Institute of Torah at the Bar Ilan University.
Rabbi Birnbaum served as an officer in the IDF Tank Brigade during his military service, and was actively involved in the Sultan Yaakov battle in the Lebanon war.
Rabbi Birnbaum is the author or editor of numerous books and articles on Judaism faith, practice and philosophy. He also gives lectures on various topics in subjects related to Judaism, the nation of Israel and the lost tribes in Jewish communities around the world.
Rabbi Birnbaum lives in Efrat with his wife Renana.