Florida Sun-Sentinel
Rabbi Shimon and Rebbetzin Liba Andrusier

Young Israel and Chabad Merge in South Florida

When the High Holidays begin in a few weeks, a Chabad Lubavitch rabbi will be on the bima at Young Israel of Pembroke Pines, which will be known as Young Israel/Chabad of Pembroke Pines. The Orthodox synagogue at Century Village introduced Rabbi Shimon Andrusier, 38, and Rebbetzin Liba Andrusier, 35, to the congregation at an Aug. 24 open house.

“We’re all together. We’re trying to be as much as possible a community here to help each other,” Shimon Andrusier told an audience of about 70 people.

“The synagogue is a place for community” and everyone is there for each other, Liba Andrusier said. “Seniors definitely have a place in my heart,” she said, explaining that she was a case worker in Brooklyn for two and a half years and her clients were seniors.

Young Israel/Chabad of Pembroke Pines is the second paring of a Young Israel Synagogue and a Chabad Lubavitch rabbi in Florida and the third in the United States, said Herb Goldsmith, a Young Israel of Pembroke Pines member since 1996. There is a Young Israel/Chabad synagogue in Palm Harbor, near Clearwater, and one in Tucson, Ariz.

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3 Comments

  • 5th pairing

    There’s an additional pairing not mentioned (I forget where) and I believe there’s a 5th pairing in West Hartford ran by rabbi gopin jr

  • Ed Greenberg

    So will they daven Nusach Ari or Nusach Ashkenaz? :) In any event, I wish them all success at their new pairing.