(Courtesy of Shomrei Torah) Congregation Shomrei Torah of Fair Lawn is pleased to announce the kickoff of a tribute campaign to honor Rabbi Benjamin and Shevi Yudin. The Yudins, who several months ago notified congregants of their intention to move on to the next phase of their lives, will assume the titles of rabbi and rebbetzin emeritus at the end of this coming summer. It will cap off an amazing 50 years of service.
The Yudins literally put Fair Lawn on the map as a desirable Jewish community after taking up the reins back in 1969, transforming the town into a recognized and respected center for Torah and chesed. When they first arrived, only a Shabbos minyan existed, which took place in the rabbi’s basement across the street from the current 275-member synagogue. Even for that lone minyan, Rabbi Yudin would often have to flag down people walking by to ensure they had the requisite 10 men. Now, there are three daily morning minyanim, a daf yomi, a complement of morning and evening learning opportunities and a bais medresh program, as well as a nursery school and the town’s only mikvah. Rabbi Yudin has often said that there is no such thing as standing still in Judaism: “If you are not moving forward, it means you are slipping backwards.” He has vigorously pushed for so many initiatives over the years that have borne fruit. As Shomrei Torah grew, the entire Orthodox presence in Fair Lawn took off, with that single Orthodox synagogue blossoming to seven.
Rabbi Yudin, a Yeshiva University graduate who counts Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik and Rav Dovid Lifschitz as his role models, is the rare rabbi who is equally comfortable in the company of the ultra-Orthodox as he is with baalei teshuva. Both the rabbi and Shevi are known worldwide as the personifications of chesed, regularly hosting numerous guests for Shabbos and Yom Tov, warmly welcoming strangers to sleep at their home for as long as needed, tirelessly making themselves available at all hours of the day and night to share in the greatest joys and most difficult challenges of their congregants, and making their presence regularly felt via hospital and nursing home visits to bring a smile to those most in need.
As the Yudins prepare to assume their new roles, the Tribute Committee believes it is being presented with a rare opportunity for hakarat hatov, giving thanks and showing appreciation for all they have done. Therefore, over the coming months a major effort will be undertaken to demonstrate the gratitude by all those touched by the Yudins over the years. This will include a gala dinner this coming April 7 to honor Rabbi Benjamin and Shevi Yudin, a renaming of the Shomrei Torah campus after the couple, and a beautification and enhancement campaign of their greatest legacy, Shomrei Torah.
As plans progress, there will be periodic updates. To this end, A special website has been set up at www.yudintribute.org� and a brochure has been printed. There will be donation opportunities as well. Meanwhile, for additional information, or should you have any questions or interest in helping with this project, please contact either Gil Irwin at 201-805-5351 or [email protected], or Dori Zofan at 614-315-4870 or [email protected].
