ABOUT YIFL
The Young Israel of Fort Lee began as The Fort Lee Synagogue in the early 1970s, formed by a dedicated group who wished to establish a modern orthodox community in the borough. They moved as they grew, first praying in a room in the Fort Lee Jewish Community Center, then in the home of one of the founders, then in 1977 in an apartment on Main Street as they starting building on a site they purchased at 1610 Parker Avenue. 1980 was their transformative year, when they moved into the new building, were joined by Rabbi Neil Winkler, and became members of the National Council of Young Israel. The Young Israel of Fort Lee was thus born. Rabbi Winkler served the congregation with distinction for over 30 years. In 2014, Rabbi Winkler retired and Rabbi Zev Goldberg began his tenure as Rabbi of YIFL.
After 45 years as a vibrant, thriving community, the Young Israel of Fort Lee is the spiritual home to over 150 families. Its spiritual roots are firmly grounded as a modern orthodox synagogue, and seeks to provide services and facilities to meet the needs of its membership as it evolves. It is most proud, in 2013, to provide a new, larger, modern facility built on the same site as its first building was originally established to serve the entire Fort Lee community.
The new Ulo and Ethel Barad building was funded by the generous contributions of its membership, a tribute to their vision of a long future of the community.