Rabbi Yosef Weinstock, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Yosef Weinstock was born and raised in New Haven, CT. During his childhood, his hometown synagogue was more than just a place to pray on Saturday mornings: it was a focal point of family and community life. These memories had a lasting effect in determining his chosen profession.
Rabbi Weinstock attended Yeshiva University, beginning with high school. After two years of study at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, he returned to Yeshiva University where he graduated summa cum laude with a major in history. Rabbi Weinstock received his Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (at Yeshiva University) with a concentration in pulpit rabbinics. He also earned a Masters in Social Work from Wurzweiler School of Social Work with a concentration in casework.
Rabbi Weinstock worked for 4 years for the New England Region of NCSY (formerly National Conference of Synagogue Youth), first as a Regional Advisor and later as a Chapter Director. In this capacity, he wrote educational materials, oversaw leadership training of teens and pre-teens, and trained other collegiate advisors on the mental health aspects of working with teenagers.
Rabbi Weinstock also served as Interim Rabbi of a Jewish nursing home. This experience, coupled with his graduate work at a Meals-On-Wheels facility sensitized him to the strengths and needs of the senior population.
Prior to coming to Hollywood in 2005, Rabbi Weinstock served as the Director of Special Projects at the Jewish Family Service in Clifton, New Jersey. His responsibilities included counseling teenagers, managing a resource center for parents of children with special needs, serving as liaison to the local Rabbis, grant writing and monitoring.
Rabbi Weinstock is married to Rebecca (Schenker), a speech therapist for Broward County Schools. They are blessed with four children: Yaakov, Shoshana, Avi and Eitan
Rabbi Weinstock is a member of the Kashrus Committee of the ORB (Orthodox Rabbinical Board of Broward and Palm Beach Counties) and a Dayan on the Beth Din of Florida that deals with matters of Jewish status. He is a member of the Rabbinical Council of America and a Vice Chair of the Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel Bonds. Rabbi Weinstock is a member of the National Board of Mizrachi-Religious Zionists of America as well as a member of the Advisory Committee of JNF's "Rabbis for Israel" council. In October 2017 Rabbi Weinstock was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council. His appointment was renewed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
In recognition of their service to the community, the Weinstocks have been the recipients of many awards, including from Bikur Cholim of Hollywood, Brauser Maimonides Academy, The Genet Cupboard of Broward JFS and ZOA.
To view Rabbi Weinstock's blog click here.
Past Sermons
Yizkor Pesach 5778: 70 Years Young
In Honor of Israel's Milestone Birthday
Acharei-Mot 5776: The Death of The Righteous Atones:
Between Yom Hashoah and Yom HaZikaron
Pesach 5776 Day 2: Hiding and Stealing
Pesach 5776 Seventh Day: The Optimism of Miriam
Tzav 5776: Reflections on AIPAC Policy Conference 2016
Sukkot 5776 The Beauty of the Aravah
Rosh Hashanah 5776: Pushing The Blanket
Vayikra 5774: Reflections from AIPAC Policy Conference 2014