Born in Cape Town, Steven spent twelve years in Israel, studying mostly at Yeshivas Birkas HaTorah in the Old City of Jerusalem, but also at Mir and Or Someach. At Birkas HaTorah, he earned smicha, and then again at Or Someach. On return to South Africa he earned an MA in English Literature from University of The Witwatersrand on the work of Rudyard Kipling. He has written an acclaimed e-novel titled "True-Life Walter" about the socio-political situation in South Africa.