Young Israel of West Hempstead

The Young Israel of West Hempstead is an Orthodox synagogue located in the heart of Long Island that has provided minyanim, shiurim and programming in the area for over 50 years. Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer has been our spiritual leader since 1983. He received his Smicha (rabbinic ordination) from Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem and served in a number of communities around the world prior to his arrival in West Hempstead. Rabbi Kelemer’s reputation for warmth and kindness precedes him wherever he goes and he is always available for halachic questions or concerns.

Our neighborhood is in many ways a reflection of our Rabbi, a seemingly quiet and humble exterior masks an unmatched vibrancy and passion. Our programming is as diverse as our membership base and caters to all demographic cohorts – including exciting youth programming, active adult education and, of course, our senior population – which includes long-time West Hempstead veterans as well as new, “young couples” who are part of the heart and soul of our community.

Now, almost seven hundred families strong, the Young Israel of West Hempstead is one of the fastest growing Orthodox synagogues in the country. Founded in the 1950s as a small minyan at the newly formed Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC), now located across the street from our Shul, our synagogue has experienced explosive growth over the last number of years. We attribute this growth to many factors, not least among them our dedicated membership.

At the Young Israel of West Hempstead, we take pride in the fact that a large number of our members grew up here and, at the same time we have attracted Jews from all over the tri-state area, the United States and the world. We welcome new neighbors from all walks of life and look forward to celebrating a very bright future with all our friends, family and community here on Long Island before we, with G-d’s help, return to a newly rebuilt Jerusalem.