About Us

Since receiving ordination from the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in Brooklyn in 1968, Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar has been an emissary in Miami for the Lubavitcher Rebbe, OBM. In 1969 he founded the Landow Yeshiva Center in Miami Beach, Florida. He has served as its principal and dean of its elementary school, Yeshivah Academy, and high school, and was responsible for training the rabbinical students.

In 1981, he founded The Shul of Bal Harbour. As head Rabbi, he is both the spiritual leader and educational programmer for all ages. Also in 1981, Rabbi Lipskar founded the Aleph Institute and the Educational Academy for the Elderly.

The Aleph Institute is a non-profit national humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Jews in limited environments, including prisoners and military personnel and their families. Rabbi Lipskar has created alternative punishment philosophies and developed unique educational opportunities for the general public in the field of treatment of closed populations. He also directs the pioneering Educational Academy for the Elderly.

Rabbi Lipskar is the founder and chief organizer of the Miami International Conferences on Torah and Science.

Born in Miami to his illustrious parents; Rabbi Sholom and Chani Lipskar, Shluchim of the Rebbe, he grew up in an environment committed to benefiting society and making the world a better and holier place. He was educated at the Rabbinical College in Manchester, England and then at the Lubavitch Rabbinical College in Montreal, Canada and later as a Shliach apprentice in South Africa. He was ordained in the Central Lubavitch Rabbinical College at 770 Eastern Parkway.

He then Co-founded a venture philanthropy-based company benefiting national charities and presently serves as Associate Rabbi at the Shul of Bal Harbour. In his role as inspirational leader, innovative strategist, Rabbi Zalman has proven his ability to cultivate an environment for a financially strong and spiritually connected Jewish community.

As the daughter of The Shul’s founders, Rabbi Sholom Lipskar and his wife, Rebbetzin Chani: Devorah Leah Andrusier was introduced into The Shul and its many facets from a very early age. As the ‘Overseeing Director’ of the Youth Department, she supervises and teaches the understanding of the value of generating educational, inspirational and fun programs. She looks ahead to see exciting and entertaining courses, events and outings for all the youth activities, from the bochurim and young ladies brought in to guide our young. She empowers them, as a real life role model, with whatever they need to educate our youth, as they begin their journey into Jewish life.

Having studied psychology is perhaps one of the reasons she is so conscious of the predicament of others and how to deal with the myriad of difficulties (and joys), in which many of our community find themselves. However, being the mother of Batsheva (who herself now has 4 children, with husband Moishe) along with siblings: Itty, Kaylee, Rafael, Tanya, Adina and Israel and, of course, running her busy household with the help of husband, Yankie, may also have a little to do with her multi-tasking personality.

Rabbi Shea Rubinstein was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he attended the Chabad-Lubavitch Yeshiva. He continued his rabbinical studies at the Yeshiva Gedola of Kiriat Gat, Israel (1993-1995), the Rabbinical College of America, New Jersey(1995-1997), a fellowship program at Yeshivah Ohr Elchonon Chabad, Los Angeles, CA and obtained his ordination in 1998 from the Yeshiva Gedola of Sydney, Australia.

Since 2001, Rabbi Rubinstein serves as a teacher, the director of The Shul’s “Jewish Latin-American Connection” and coordinator of the Shul’s Adult Education Program, conferences and lectures.

Rabbi Shlomie was born and raised in Kfar Chabad, Israel. He studied in Israel, New York and served in the IDF.  He is the Operations Manager at The Shul. He is involved with the daily operations of all the programs and events.

Shlomie and Aurit lived in Yerushalayim and then moved to South Africa where their oldest 4 children were born. In 2007, the Katan's moved to Miami to join The Shul team. Their youngest 2 children are native from Miami.

Rabbi Shaykee Farkash serves as Youth Program Director and Director of The Shul's Camp Gan Israel. Strategic, charismatic, kind and with an eye for innovation and pixel perfection he brought light and fun to the program.

He worked as a substitute in Ohalei Torah in Brooklyn, NY while spending time learning in Kollel and Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters. He was also Chaplain at The White Plains Hospital. Rabbi Farkash was part of several Camps from Los Angeles, New York, Puerto Rico to Athens and Ukraine. Prior to his time in New York, Rabbi Farkash had studied with several teachers in the Jewish world; Australia, Los Angeles, Argentina, France just to mention a few places. He is fluent in English, Hebrew, Spanish, Yiddish and Portuguese.

Rabbi Farkash lives in Miami with his wife Deby; who teaches women’s classes and assist the Youth Department also at The Shul. They have 4 beautiful children; Ruthy, Mushka, Adina and a sweet son, Mendel.

His wish is to combine his knowledge and experience to deliver the best creative Youth Programs to bring the kids closer to the community and Judaism. Rabbi Farkash has combined his interest in Judaism with his passion for working with youth.