Steve Gar was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to a traditional Jewish family. He joined a communal counter-terrorism reaction unit and was part of the protective detail for the Chief Rabbi of SA. Steve then became the head co-coordinator for the Department of Informal Jewish Education (DIJE).
At the age of 22, Steve made Aliyah, joining the religious Hesder program. combining Yeshiva learning with military service. He studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and served in the Golani infantry unit, Battalion 13 - specializing in the Negev (sub-machine gun) and received an award for 'soldier of excellence'.
Soon after returning to Israel, Steve was invited by the Chief Rabbi of Efrat, HaRav Riskin, to join the Kollel at the Joseph & Gwendolyn Straus Rabbinical Seminary and began studyin for the Rabbinate.
At the same time, he completed his training as a combat Instructor, specializing in counter-terrorism, and is now responsible for training military units through the Central command of the Gush Etzion.
He currently serves as a platoon Sergeant (Res) on an active counter-terrorist unit while completing his rabbinical studies. In addition, Steve is the assistant director of a special needs program, Yeshivat Darkaynu. Steve and Natalie live in Elazar, Gush Etzion with their 5 children.
