Rabbi Lerner – born in London, England – has since lived in Israel, Chicago, and New York, and now serves as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates.
Following three years of study at Yeshivat Har Etzion he graduated from Yeshiva University with a BA in English Literature, and went on to receive Semikha from their Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. After serving as a Rabbinic Intern for two years at Lincoln Square Synagogue and spending a year as a Tikvah Fellow, he moved to Chicago to pursue graduate studies. Rabbi Lerner received an MA in religion as well as a PhD from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School and served as the Orthodox Student Advisor at Hillel on campus. While in Chicago, Rabbi Lerner also served as the Assistant Rabbi of Congregation K.I.N.S. in West Rogers Park.
Rabbi Lerner is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Yeshiva University’s Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, where he researches, writes, and teaches a range of courses, including ones on the thought of Maimonides, John Milton, Malbim, Dante, and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
Rabbi Lerner is married to Miriam (Weiss). Miriam earned a BA at Yeshiva University as a Legacy Heritage Scholar, as well as an MA from YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Education and Administration. She currently teaches Tanach at Shulamith High School in Cedurhurst.
Together, Rabbi Lerner and Miriam could not feel more blessed to have their children Ariella (b. 2016), Orly (b. 2018) and Yakov (b. 2024) in their lives, and feel truly grateful and inspired to be part of this special community.
Contact Rabbi Lerner: rabbilerner@yije.org
Rabbi Shlomo Hochberg served as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, from 1990 to 2019. Thirty years under Rabbi Hochberg’s leadership helped define Jamaica Estates as a community of Chesed, Israel Activism and outstanding Youth programming.
Prior to Jamaica Estates, Rabbi Hochberg served in Lowell, Massachusetts, for sixteen years as Rabbi of Montefiore Synagogue and Principal/Dean of Merrimack Valley Hebrew Academy. Rabbi Hochberg also served as Mashgiach Ruchani at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women for 25 years.
Rabbi Hochberg received his BA in mathematics from Yeshiva University, followed by a year of learning at Yeshivat Hakotel. He completed his Smicha studies at RIETS at which time he also received an MS in Education from Ferkauf. He studied counseling at Teacher’s College Graduate School of Columbia University, and at the Special Education Administration doctoral program at Boston University.
Rabbi Hochberg is a Past President of the Rabbinical Council of America as well as of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens and the Vaad Harabonim of Massachusetts. He has served on the Education committees of local Yeshivot and is among the founders of YESS!
Rabbi Hochberg’s success in Jamaica Estates has been in partnership with his Eishet Chayil, Karen (Ulevitch), who has worked side by side with him in leadership from the very first day. The Hochberg’s have two children: a daughter Mira married to Yehuda Labovitz, and a son Yosef.
Contact Rabbi Hochberg: rabbihochberg@yije.org
