Rabbi Andrew Markowitz spent his formative years in a passionate Jewish home and communities dedicated to Torah and Chesed. It is these values that have guided his life and career. Upon graduating from the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School in Brooklyn, New York, Rabbi Markowitz learned at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim. From there he continued his education at Yeshiva University, graduating with a BA in Psychology. Rabbi Markowitz received his rabbinic ordination (semicha) from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, during which time he was a fellow of the Gruss Kollel in Jerusalem. While in Israel, he trained closely with Rav Gideon Weitzman of Machon Puah, where he received an additional semichah with a focus on the burgeoning field of fertility and Halacha. Upon finishing his semicha, he was accepted to Yeshiva University’s prestigious Beren Kollel Elyon.
Rabbi Markowitz is proud and privileged to be the Rabbi of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The entire family, including his wife Dr. Sara and their five daughters (Avigayil, Mimi, Ella, Nili, and Noa) made Shomrei Torah their home when he began as the assistant rabbi in 2010. During their time in Fair Lawn, they have helped the shul continue to grow into a thriving, passionate community, one built on strong personal relationships and dedication to Torah values. He has brought creative programming to engage the diverse ages and interest groups in the Shomrei Torah community. Always looking for opportunities to make Torah more accessible, he has used Facebook Live, Webex, and WhatsApp to broaden the shul’s audience. Developing teen leadership is an important value. Rabbi Markowitz has led Chesed Missions to Puerto Rico and New Orleans to help rebuild communities after natural disasters.
Rabbi Markowitz also teaches at Naaleh High School for Girls, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He is passionate about learning and engaging with teens to make Torah relevant to their lives. As a strong supporter of the State of Israel and of our obligation to help our brothers and sisters there, Rabbi Markowitz was a member of the inaugural JNF Rabbinic delegation and has fostered relationships with Nefesh b’Nefesh, AIPAC, and NORPAC. He is a member of the Rabbinical Council of America and a member of the Kashrus Committee for the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County. Rabbi Markowitz ran his first half marathon for Chai Lifeline in Miami in January 2017, and is a lifelong Mets fan.
Dr. Sara Markowitz, has managed to achieve an incredible amount, in large part due to her personal “ADHD” superpowers. In addition to obtaining a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Dr. Markowitz is the founding director of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Jewish Women at Achieve Behavioral Health, the largest behavioral health center serving the greater Jewish community. Dr. Markowitz has been the director of Achieve’s teen intensive summer experience 2021 & 2022 and the director of group therapy from 2015-2018.
Dr. Markowitz continues to develop curriculum and measure clinical outcome research for ADHD parenting groups and integration of ADHD individuals within the Jewish community. She has developed curricula, currently utilized in schools and families focusing on overcoming challenges of multiple origins.
In addition to her formal professional activities, Dr. Markowitz is a mother to five awesome children.
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Benjamin Yudin served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah since 1969. Together with his wife Shevi, he has been involved in virtually every aspect of Jewish life in Fair Lawn. Their reputation is known internationally. Rabbi Yudin graduated with a B.A. in History from Yeshiva University. He then pursued a dual graduate program, earning semicha from Y.U.’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, as well as a master’s degree in Jewish History. His association with Y.U. continues to this day, as he teaches Bible and Jewish Thought in the Mechina Program at Yeshiva College, and is a former dean of Mechina’s predecessor, the James Striar School.
Rabbi Yudin’s weekly parsha commentary on radio station WFMU’s “JM in the AM” program is heard by thousands of listeners in the tri-state area. Countless others have been inspired by the explanatory essays Rabbi Yudin contributed to the ArtScroll Transliterated Linear Siddur, a landmark prayerbook designed to enable all Jews to be full participants in the synagogue service. Shevi Yudin’s reputation for chesed is widely known. She is part Rebbetzin / part sister to the women in the community. Her home is always filled with guests and she has been known to make pre-Shabbos house calls, along with her husband, to drop off kugels at member’s homes. The Yudins have 7 children who live in NJ, NY, and Israel.
Bet Medrash Minyan
Rabbi Yoni Mandelstam is currently a high school Rebbi at the Torah Academy of Bergen County. He grew up in Jamaica Estates, New York and received semicha from Yeshiva University after studying under Rabbi Mayer Twersky. In addition to teaching numerous periods of Judaic studies each day, Rabbi Mandelstam also organizes spiritual programs for TABC such as community Shabbatonim and Friday night onegs. As a student of Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, principal of DRS high school in Woodmere, Rabbi Mandelstam is trained to not only engage the mind of each student but to inspire the heart as well.
In addition to teaching high school students, Rabbi Mandelstam used to give a Halacha shiur each Shabbos morning to adults in Teaneck’s Congregation Zichron Mordechai. Rabbi Mandelstam also served as the Rabbi and assistant director to the JYEP Hebrew School for the past three years on Sunday mornings. Through JYEP, Rabbi Mandelstam taught middle school students some of the fundamentals of Judaism and prepared boys and girls for their bar and bat mitzvah services.
Rabbi Mandelstam recently moved from Teaneck to Fair Lawn with his wife, Talya, and their three children, Shani, Noam, and Azriel. The family excitedly took their first trip to Israel this summer as Rabbi Mandelstam was the educational director on NCSY’s Hatzalah Rescue program. During the program, Rabbi Mandelstam gave a daily shiur and strengthened the relationship the students have with Hashem and Eretz Yisrael.
Executive Director
Mark joins Shomrei Torah after over 4 years as the Administrator of Congregation Shomrei Torah of Wayne. Despite only starting there a month before COVID, he oversaw their transition to an efficient remote operation, including the administrative office, religious services and school. He secured a PPP loan, two NJ Grants for Security Personnel and negotiated the replacement of their HVAC system through the PSEG Energy Efficient Program. Prior to becoming a Shul Administrator, he worked in real estate management for the NYC Housing Authority and private ownership. Mark and his wife Debbie have lived in Teaneck for the past 30 years. They have a daughter, Jessie, married to Matthew Abramowitz, and a son, Josh. They are very excited to be first time grandparents to Zachary Abramowitz. Mark can be reached at .
Administrative Assistant
Simi has been a fixture at Shomrei Torah for almost 10 years. Simi and her husband Yaakov moved to Fair Lawn from Washington Heights 9 years ago and are happy to be raising their four children in such a wonderful and close-knit community. Simi has a passion for chessed and is the founder of Sophie’s Costume Corner: The Fair Lawn Costume Gemach and is on the board of the Bergen County Chanukah Toy Drive.
Youth Directors
Rachel and Shmuli moved to Fair Lawn a year ago and quickly became involved in the community. Both Shmuli and Rachel have a long-standing passion for working with children. Shmuli has been a Hockey Coach and Referee in the Yeshiva Hockey League for years, while Rachel helped with children’s programming and events at our shul and school in Queens before our move. Rachel works for Yeshiva University as Director of Events, managing logistics of YU special events. Shmuli is Director of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition for Infinite Services. The company places therapists into Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Care and Schools. We’re excited about the year ahead and eager to continue enriching our community.
Teen Director
Ariela and her husband Yehuda and moved to Fair Lawn from Washington Heights 9 years ago. Their children, Avital, Noam and Eitan, go to RYNJ and have loved growing up in Shomrei. For many years Ariela ran the hospitality committee and had the pleasure of introducing and welcoming so many families to Shomrei Torah. For the past 7 years, Ariela has been the Director of Guidance at Yeshivat He’Atid. In addition to teaching weekly social-emotional classes, she runs a variety of programs for the students both in and out of the classroom, staying connected long after they have graduated. Ariela recently joined Ohel’s trauma response team, supporting families through their challenging times.
Teen Director
Micah Pickett has lived in Fair Lawn for most of his life and grew up in Shomrei Torah. He is currently studying at Yeshiva University pursuing a degree in Strategy and Entrepreneurship and learning in Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky’s Shiur. Micah was selected to join the MafTEACH School Community Fellowship, a program run by Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Through this program, Micah will complete an immersive residency in a North American community for extended weekends. As a fellow, he will have the opportunity to interact with students, teachers, school and community leaders. Micah is also a well loved advisor and coordinator for Yachad NJ. This past summer Micah staffed Yachad’s Yad B’Yad program, inspiring teenagers to spend an action packed summer in Israel learning Torah, growing socially and emotionally all through the lens of inclusivity.