Welcome to the Young Israel of St. Louis
Young Israel of St. Louis is an Orthodox synagogue affiliated with the National Council of Young Israel that provides religious services and Torah study for its members. Its Women's Division organizes a variety of social and learning activities and is involved in many charitable causes. Guest speakers, classes in a wide range of Jewish subjects and lecture series are open to the entire community. The synagogue has an active chesed committee, which helps people who require any assistance.
Our 160 member families have actively led and participated in many Jewish communal and educational institutions including the Jewish Federation, the JCC, the Jewish Center for the Aged, the Vaad Hoeir, Covenant House, St. Louis Hillel at Washington University, Torah Mitzion Kollel, Yeshivat Kadimah High School and the Epstein Hebrew Academy. Two of its members have been president of the Jewish Federation of Saint Louis. The Community Initiative to Strengthen Families brings speakers and organizes programs to promote shalom bayis/bayit. The State of Israel figures proudly in synagogue programs, run in conjunction with the Kollel Torah MiTzion.
Activities for Young Israel youth include Shabbos/Shabbat groups for children, a teen minyan, an innovative Bas/Bat Mitzvah program, Sunday morning Derech Eretz clubs and the city-wide Junior and Senior NCSY.
Rabbi Dov Fink
Rabbi Dov Fink grew up in Teaneck, NJ, and learned in Israel at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh. He studied psychology at Yeshiva University and received semicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). He was a fellow in the Wexner Kollel Elyon at RIETS and is expected to earn a Master’s in Social Work at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work in May 2026. Rabbi Fink served as a rabbinic intern at the Young Israel of West Hempstead and at the Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton. He also served as a night seder Rebbi at Yeshiva University and is an experienced Chosson Teacher. He is passionate about learning and teaching Gemara, Halacha, and Machshava. His particular areas of interest include contemporary halachic challenges, the intersection between Torah and Mental Health, Medical Ethics, and Jewish History. Rabbi Fink is blessed to be married to Sara (née Trombka), who grew up in Silver Spring, MD, and is equally passionate about building Jewish communities.
In addition to his new rabbinical position, Rabbi Fink is also looking forward to teaching a section of girls Halacha and boys Halacha at Yeshivat Kadimah High School, Epstein Hebrew Academy this fall. The Finks recently moved here from Washington Heights with their three children, Adina, Yisrael, and Shira, and could not be more excited to join the community.
Officers
| President | Max Oppenheimer |
| Immediate Past President | Jonty Felsher |
| Vice President | Shmuli Shulman |
| President, Women's Division | Sabrina Gornish |
| Secretary | Rachel Shapiro |
| Treasurer | Eldad Bialecki Shmuli Shulman |
| Trustee | Andy Koshner Mark Friedman Rose Ann Ariel |
| Building and Infrastructure Chair | Evan Axelbaum |
| Membership Committee Chair | Aliza Freilich |
| Security Committee Chair | Seth Near |
| Youth Engagement Chair | Rabbi Dov Nimchinsky |
| Gabbai | Daniel Siegel Danny Wachsstock Elliott Franklin |
Jews in St. Louis
Jews have been in St. Louis since 1807, when merchant Joseph Philipson from Pennsylvania arrived in the territory and established a general merchandising store. The first religious services were held in 1836 when ten men rented a little room over Max's Grocery and Restaurant, on the corner now occupied by the St. Louis Arch Grounds. Now, 60,000 Jews live in St Louis, the largest city in the state of Missouri.
Learn more:
Walter Ehrlich wrote a two-volume history of Jews in St. Louis »
The St. Louis Genealogical Research Society has list of resources »
Eruvonline has a series on St. Louis Orthodox Jewry from the 1800's »
8:00 AM & 6:25 PM
6:27 PM
6:27 PM-7:25 PM
