RABBI ZEV GOLDBERG
Rabbi Zev Goldberg began his tenure at Young Israel of Fort Lee in October 2014. Prior to joining YIFL, Rabbi Goldberg worked as the Assistant Rabbi at Young Israel of Century City (YICC), a synagogue of over 500 families, located in Los Angeles. Rabbi Goldberg and his wife, Michal, are both from Teaneck and are thrilled to have returned back to Bergen County.
Rabbi Goldberg feels blessed to work in a job that allows his passion to shine -- the study and teaching of Torah. In fact, he chose to enter the rabbinate after participating in a program in Charleston, SC, where he traveled extensively to teach Torah to the Jewish community in this small Southern city. Inspired by those experiences, Rabbi Goldberg strives to make Torah learning accessible to all at Young Israel of Fort Lee. He was instrumental in program development at YICC, introducing many successful learning opportunities, and he brings this excitement and passion to Fort Lee, as well.
Rabbi Goldberg spends his afternoons as an educator at Bruriah High School for Girls, where he serves as the Chair of the Torah Sh'bal Peh Department. On Fridays, Rabbi Goldberg teaches Semikha students at Yeshiva University.
Rabbi Goldberg is the current Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County (RCBC), where he also serves as a Dayan on its Beit Din for Conversion. He served on the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) from 2016-2019 during which time he chaired two RCA conventions.
Rabbi Goldberg received his Rabbinical Ordination from Yeshiva University (RIETS) and his undergraduate degree in Economics from Yeshiva College, where he graduated with Honors. Rabbi Goldberg spent two years post high school studying in Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, in Israel.
Michal (nee Safier) received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. She currently works as a clinician and supervisor at Achieve Behavioral Health, a mental health clinic in Monsey, and maintains a private practice in Teaneck. Additionally, Michal is a Nishmat certified Kallah Teacher. She enjoys serving as a resource for women on issues related to religion and mental health.
The Goldbergs are proud of their open home and often host community members for Shabbat meals and other events.
Rabbi Goldberg can be reached at RabbiGoldberg@yiftlee.org
Rabbi Neil Winkler
Rabbi Neil N. Winkler, founding Rabbi of our synagogue, arrived in Fort Lee in 1978 after having served as spiritual leader of congregations in Cincinnati, Trenton and Lawrenceville, New Jersey. A musmach of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1972, Rabbi Winkler earned his Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from the Bernard Revel Graduate School in that same year and previously had received his BA in History from Yeshiva University in 1969.
Well-known and respected from the United States to Israel, Rabbi Winkler’s accomplishments and talents are numerous - as a dynamic lecturer, consummate educator, author and spiritual leader. In addition to his duties at the Young Israel of Fort Lee, Rabbi Winkler twice served as president of the RCBC was listed as a member of the Speaker’s Bureau of the National Council of Young Israel from whom he was awarded the coveted Silver Shofar Award. Among his educational accomplishments, Rabbi Winkler has coached over thirty American champions of the International Bible Contest, including three champions coached from Israel over the past four years.
An active Zionist, Rabbi Winkler was involved in numerous organizations that support the State of Israel and has been honored by the Bet-El Yeshiva, Yeshiva University and NCSY. Rabbi Winkler published his book, Bringing The Prophets To Life in 2011, which was received with great interest and enthusiasm. The Rabbi and his wife, Andrea, are proud parents to five children and ten grandchildren.
Since making aliya in 2014, Rabbi Winkler has continued his teaching in Israeli schools and delivering shiurim in the OU Israel Center as well as various synagogues and other venues. Rabbi Winkler also delivers a weekly lecture series in Jewish History and writes a weekly column in the Torah Tidbits publication of the OU.