Rabbi Avraham Gislason

Type of wearer: Canadian/Toronto Rabbis, Rabbi, Shul Rav

Affiliation: Breslov, Charedi, Yeshivish

Some people wear many hats. Rabbi Avraham Gislason seems to wear them all—and wears them well.

He’s the Mara d’Asra of Kahal Yereim and Breslov Thornhill, a community just north of Toronto that’s serious about Torah but just as serious about heart. His style of leadership is quiet strength—not about making noise, but about creating real spiritual momentum. Under his guidance, the kehillah has become a warm hub of Torah, Breslov chassidus, and achdus across the spectrum.

But his story isn’t your typical “grew-up-frum” path. Rabbi Gislason’s entry into Jewish learning started at Aish HaTorah in Yerushalayim—a place known for igniting sparks. From there, he moved through serious yeshiva systems: Darchei Torah, Nesiv Olam, Kollel Avreichim, and eventually Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Toronto. He learned, he grew, and he earned Yoreh Yoreh semicha from Rav Reuven Silver, shlit”a, and Rav Eliezer Breitowitz, shlit”a. It wasn’t just about learning halacha—it was about living it.

And then… there’s Tzafona Cellars. If you’ve never heard of kosher-certified ice wine, you’ve probably never had the chance to taste what Rabbi Gislason makes. Since 2014, he’s been crafting boutique wines in the Niagara Peninsula, where frigid winters meet rich soil. His label, Tzafona (which literally means “north”), produces wines that are as thoughtful as he is. Every bottle is meticulously kosher, but more than that—it’s an expression of a Torah Jew engaging the world without compromise.

He’s not just a winemaker and rav. He’s a public voice, too. You may have caught him on The Jewish Drinking Show, where he breaks down the halachic and practical aspects of kosher wine—especially ice wine, a field where he’s more or less the posek-vintner rolled into one.

Oh—and if you spotted techeiles hanging from his tzitzis? You weren’t imagining things. Rabbi Gislason is a strong proponent of the blue thread, taking this ancient mitzvah seriously. Like everything else he does, it’s not about being trendy—it’s about emes.

Between the vineyard and the beis midrash, between halachic clarity and chilled dessert wines, Rabbi Gislason shows that you can live fully in both worlds—without sacrificing either.