Born in Amsterdam, Straus made Alyia in 1977. He lives in Jerusalem, is married to Rachel and has seven children. Straus studied at the Ponevitch Yeshiva and at teaching Kolel.
In 2008, he began working with youth at risk, understanding that within the ultra-orthodox sector this field was a no-man's land with no professional response.
From 2012 Straus also manages several projects for "Nefesh Yehudi", an organization working to strengthen Jewish affiliation among Israeli students, reconnecting them to the Torah, the Jewish People and the Eretz Israel through unique educational activities.