Yehoshua S. Hecht, is the spiritual leader of Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk since 1984, and is an emissary-shliach of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn. His brilliant oratory, engaging personality and sense of humor have endeared him to the community.

Rabbi Hecht received his Rabbinical ordination from United Lubavitcher Yeshiva and his Rabbinical Judgeship from the Kollel Institute of Advanced Talmudic Studies of Lubavitch. He is the President of the Rabbinical Council of Connecticut, a member of the executive committee of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and a member of the Rabbinical Council of America. The Rabbi is active in the community. He serves as Chaplain of the Norwalk Police Department, Norwalk Hospital and area senior centers and Jewish Hospice.

Rabbi Hecht is active on the board of the Jewish Federation-UJA and it's constituent committees, enhancing Jewish life within the community. He is a frequent columnist and spokesman in the local media, the Jewish Press and Algemeiner Journal.