His father was a scientist and public school teacher who founded Camp Kinneret in Agoura, California in 1954 together with his wife.
[2] Rabbi Hoffman graduated from UCLA and later studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
He completed his rabbinical studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America where he was ordained as a Conservative rabbi.
[3] He was prolific in Capetonian media, often writing articles in dialogue about Israel, and political issues in South Africa such as the death penalty.
He marched with Zackie Achmat and other religious leaders to demand governmental supply of anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS sufferers in South Africa.