Who we are
The Shul passionately connects and strengthens the 33154 Jewish community through meaningful shared experiences: a home for every Jew to learn, celebrate, and live Torah and mitzvot, together.
It all began in 1981, in sunny South Florida, feet away from the Miami beaches and the Bal Harbour Shops. Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, would stand on Collins Avenue for hours, asking passersby if they were Jewish and would like to join a minyan.
Four decades later The Shul is thousands strong, with more than nine daily minyanim and more than seventy-eight programs whose impact reaches individuals around the globe. Located at the meeting point of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek Village and Surfside, it is the centre of Jewish life for these four communities, and for the thousands of international visitors who make South Florida their second home.
The Shul has a significant Sephardic membership, with Sephardic minyanim that keep their own traditions, and a significant Latin American membership served by the Jewish Latin American Connection.
Known as one of the most unorthodox, Orthodox synagogues.
In loving memory
Ordained at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in Brooklyn in 1968, Rabbi Lipskar came to Miami as an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In 1969 he founded the Landow Yeshiva Center in Miami Beach, serving as principal and dean of its schools and training its rabbinical students.
In 1981 he founded The Shul of Bal Harbour, as both its spiritual leader and the educator behind programs for every age. The same year he founded the Aleph Institute, which cares for Jews in limited environments, including prisoners, military personnel and their families, and the Educational Academy for the Elderly. He founded and led the Miami International Conferences on Torah and Science, and in 2004 established the Chaim Yakov Shlomo College of Jewish Studies.
The Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Legacy Endowment, inaugurated at The Shul's 45th Annual Dinner.Give to the endowment
An eminent team of rabbis, educators, rabbinical students, professionals, staff and volunteers.
Co-founder and Head Rebbetzin
Together with her husband, Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, she began a movement to care for every Jewish family in 33154. She counsels, develops educational and social programs for The Shul, and directs a class for brides on establishing a Jewish home.
Senior Rabbi
Born in Miami to Rabbi Sholom and Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar, he studied in Manchester, Montreal and South Africa and was ordained at the Central Lubavitch Rabbinical College at 770 Eastern Parkway. He leads The Shul as an inspirational leader and strategist for a spiritually connected community.
President
Born and raised in Miami, a longtime community leader: President of the Board of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Young Leadership Division, Chairman of the Board of Scheck Hillel Community Day School, and a Councilman of Bal Harbour Village.
CYS College Principal, Community Kollel, Halachic Authority
Teaches weekly classes on Talmud, Ethics of our Fathers, the Prophets and Chumash, with seasonal courses across Jewish life. Ordained in California, with Dayanut from Rabbi Moshe Gutnick, he is licensed as a Rabbinic Lawyer by the State of Israel.
JLAC and Adult Education
Born in Buenos Aires and ordained in Sydney in 1998, he has served since 2001 as a teacher, director of the Jewish Latin American Connection, and coordinator of adult education, conferences and lectures.
Director of Youth, Camp Director
Directs the Youth Program and Camp Gan Israel, with camp experience from Los Angeles to Athens and Ukraine. He is fluent in English, Hebrew, Spanish, Yiddish and Portuguese.
Overseeing Director, Youth Department; Special Events
The daughter of Rabbi Sholom and Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar, she oversees the Youth Department, guiding the young madrichim who lead its classes, events and outings.
Facility Manager
Born and raised in Kfar Chabad, he served in the IDF and joined The Shul team in 2007, overseeing the daily operations behind every program and event.
Sisterhood holiday events, Bat Mitzvah Club
A Judaic Studies teacher who joined The Shul's Shluchim in 2001, she coordinates the Sisterhood's holiday events and directs the Bat Mitzvah Club.
To love every Jew as one loves oneself.
The Shul is built on the ideology of Chabad Lubavitch, and permeates that love with acts of kindness, mitzvot, Torah study and prayer. It prides itself on welcoming every Jew.
Its slogan, Over the Top, names the excitement, joy and sense of family it brings to everything it does, from Torah classes and the Youth Club to the Sisterhood, the women's and men's mikvah, and the Spanish-language program.
Every program The Shul lists. Become a partner, give to the general fund, or support a specific program.
The main number is 305.868.1411; dial the extension shown.
The Shul
9540 Collins Avenue
Surfside, Florida 33154
Questions and comments go through The Shul's own contact form.
Opens The Shul's contact page