Shul Officers

Rabbi Joshua Goller

Rabbi Joshua Goller is a proud West Hempstead and YIWH product. Having grown up in our shul, Rabbi Goller experienced the unique ta’am  which our shul is known for and learned 1st hand from his beloved predecessor Rabbi Kelemer zt”l 

Rabbi Goller began his Rabbinic career as the Rabbinic Intern at the YI of Jamaica Estates, eventually assuming the role of Assistant Rabbi for a total of 9 years. In July 2013, Rabbi Goller and his family moved back to the community to assume the Assistant Rabbi position. In July 2021, Rabbi Goller was appointed to the position of Rabbi of YIWH. 

Rabbi Goller loves building meaningful relationships with  people, guiding shul families through life’s ups and downs and bringing exciting programs to our shul. Having spent close to 20 years in chinuch, Rabbi Goller has a special affinity for teaching Torah and engaging our teens and youth. 

Rabbi Goller’s family is deeply connected to our shul community. He is married to Dr. Rachelle Goller and they are blessed with 4 children: Yehuda, Gavriel, Penina and Yaakov. 

Rabbi Yaakov Abramovitz
Assistant Rabbi

Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Abramovitz received semicha from RIETS in 2019, and graduated with his doctorate in Clinical and School Psychology at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in May 2023. By blending the traditional wisdom of the Torah with the latest research in Psychology, he strives to provide meaningful insight and practical guidance to both individuals and the community at large. Rabbi Abramovitz previously served for three years as an Assistant Rabbi at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills before moving to West Hempstead together with his wife, Ahuva, and their children: Emmie, Ayelet, and Binyamin. 

Rabbi Meir Finkelstein
Rabbinic Associate

Rabbi Meir Finkelstein is the Rabbinic Associate at the Young Israel of West Hempstead, and serves as the Rosh Kollel of the Young Israel’s summer Kollel. Additionally, he is a Wexner Kollel Elyon fellow and a Master’s student at the Bernard Revel Graduate School. Rabbi Finkelstein received his semikha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and holds a degree in Psychology from Yeshiva University. Prior to that, he studied in Eretz Yisrael for two years in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh. Rabbi Finkelstein has had the privilege of spending six years studying under Rabbi Hershel Schachter and three summers studying under Rabbi Mordechai Willig.