Fair Lawn—On Shabbat Ki Tavoh, Young Israel of Fair Lawn will officially welcome their new Rabbi and Rebbitzin, Eli and Rebecca Belizon. The Belizons are no strangers to the community. They moved to Fair Lawn in 2012 and have established a home with their four children Batya Sarah, Tzvi, Akiva and Batsheva. Rabbi Belizon, a Musmach from Yeshiva University, has been the Rosh Kollel of the Fair Lawn Beis Medrash program at Shomrei Torah for the past two years.
Over the past two years the community at large, including many members of YI, have taken advantage of and enjoyed his exciting shiurim, covering an incredible range of topics, as well as his insightful drashot. Rebecca Belizon is a sought after lecturer who has delivered a weekly women’s shiur this past year for the Bergen County Beis Medrash program in Teaneck. Their warm personalities and attention to individuals is readily apparent. Together they hope to share their teaching talents with the entire Fair Lawn and Bergen County community and create a special environment at Young Israel that will attract young frum families. “We are thrilled that they will be joining us” said Joe Smith, President of YIFL. “B’ezrat Hashem we will share many years together with the Belizons.”
Rabbi Belizon received his smicha from Yeshiva University RIETS program and a BA in finance from Sy Syms school of Business. He learned in the Wexner Kollel Elyon as well as in Yeshivas Mir and Kerem B’Yavneh. Before his tenure as Rosh Kollel in Fair Lawn, Rabbi Belizon worked with his mentor, Rav Zvi Sobolofsky at Congregation Ohr Torah in Bergenfield delivering drashot and shiurim for three summers. In addition to becoming YIFL’s Morah D’asrah, Rabbi Belizon will continue as Rosh Kollel of the Fair Lawn Beis Medrash as well as teach in Yeshiva University’s Mazer Yeshiva Program.
Rebbitzin Rebecca Belizon received a Master’s degree from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli School of Jewish Education and also studied in Yerushalayim at Michlalah for two years. Additionally, she studied under Rebbetzin Tehilla Abramov to become a kallah teacher and received an advanced certificate in Jewish Marriage Education in 2009. In addition to teaching kallahs, Rebbitzin Belizon has also taught classes in Tanach at Shaalavim for Women and at SKA High School for Girls in Hewlett. Both Rabbi and Rebbitzin Belizon hope to continue their active involvement with the Bergen County Beis Medrash program.
Although they have not been officially installed, the Belizons are already enthusiastically planning their involvement with YIFL. Since their return from Eretz Yisrael earlier this summer, they have been hosting couples who may be interested in moving to Fair Lawn. Young Israel already has wonderful facilities available to accommodate young children during davening. Rebecca is working to develop an active program for children in time for the Yamim Noraim.
“We have an opportunity to develop something really special here. When choosing a community to bring up one’s family, a major component is connecting to the values and aspirations of one’s shul. In the Young Israel, we will place a major focus on continued spiritual growth through talmud torah and sincerity towards halacha. My family has personally witnessed and enjoyed the warm and friendly atmosphere that is felt by all who come to daven at the Young Israel of Fair Lawn. We will continue to foster this warm, family oriented environment, where the Rav, Rebbitzin and the members feel connected to one another. We want to build a community which combines torah and halacha with warmth and mentschlichkeit. Focusing on these values will allow families to grow with us both spiritually and religiously,” said Rabbi Belizon. “Anyone interested in spending a Shabbat in Fair Lawn can call us and we’ll be happy to make all the arrangements.”
