Joining in 2024, Rabbi Matt and Sheerelle Marks are the first resident Jewish Chaplaincy couple in Brighton for many years, dedicated to serving students across the Brighton and South Coast region. With rich backgrounds in Jewish education and community leadership, they bring both warmth and experience to their roles.
Matt grew up in Belmont, UK, where he was deeply involved in Jewish life, attending Jewish schools and Bnei Akiva programmes. He studied at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh in Jerusalem before returning to complete a philosophy degree. His passion for Jewish education led him to work as a Youth Director in a synagogue in London, and later teach through Teach First. He later took on leadership roles at a Jewish secondary school in London before moving to Israel with his family to participate in the Mizrachi UK Fellowship. There, he completed an MA in Jewish Education and further rabbinic studies.
Sheerelle was born in London but spent eight formative years in Israel before returning to the UK. She studied at Michlala and became a qualified Occupational Therapist while actively volunteering for various Jewish charities.
Now in Brighton, the Markses are committed to creating an inclusive, engaging Jewish student community, offering pastoral support, educational programming, and a welcoming home away from home.