Rabbi Dr. Yossi Cohen

Born in Jerusalem, Rabbi Dr. Yosef Cohen came with his family to the US as a child and grew up in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. After graduating from Yeshiva University with a degree in Biology, Rabbi Dr. Cohen continued his studies at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology/Technion American Medical School in Haifa, Israel, where he completed requirements for the M.D. degree, and is now working toward a PhD degree in the US. For more than 5 years, he has served as a Research Assistant for Rabbi Dr. J. David Bleich, researching contemporary issues in Medical Ethics. 

Rabbi Dr. Cohen received his rabbinic ordination in 2019 from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), and is currently studying for advanced ordination at Yeshiva University.

From 2018-2021, Rabbi Dr. Cohen and his wife Eliana served as the rabbinic couple for the small local community at the Technion, which comprised a diverse group of individuals, from ultra‐orthodox to non-religious students. In this role Rabbi Dr. Cohen spoke to the community on Shabbat mornings, led weekly study groups, answered religious and personal questions, and hosted with his wife weekly Shabbat meals. As a semicha student, he served as a summer Rabbinic intern at Congregation Beth Aaron, Teaneck, NJ, and more recently was a scholar-in-residence for Shaarei Torah of Syracuse, in Syracuse, NY.

Our Rabbi and Family

Rabbi Dr. Cohen notes that he and his wife Eliana, who is from Edison, NJ, appreciate the warmth and close-knit feel of a small community. Eliana is completing her first year of dental school at New York Medical College, and the couple is “committed to combining Rabbinics and Medicine in our future.” Eliana brings with her several years of experience leading Tomchei Shabbos of Middlesex County, where she gained skills in fundraising, organizing and managing a large chessed operation. The Cohens are excited to bring new events and programs to the shul. The Cohens have 2 children, Akiva, 3, and Tova, 1.

To speak to the Rabbi, please feel free to reach out at RabbiCohen@fleetwoodsynagogue.org.

Rabbi Zaki Dayan

Assistant Rabbi

Rabbi Zaki Dayan & family

Rabbi Zaki Dayan is a dedicated young rabbi with a strong passion for spreading Torah. Having grown up in Flatbush, he pursued his studies at Yeshivas Aish Gesher in Jerusalem for two years following high school. Currently, he is pursuing his rabbinical degree at R.I.E.T.S Yeshiva University and joined the Kollel Elyon in the Fall of 2023.

In the year 2023, Rabbi Dayan served as a Shul Intern at Kehillat Menorat Hamaor in Ramat Beit Shemesh. During his time there, he delivered various shiurim throughout Shabbos, establishing meaningful connections with members of the community. Prior to this, he worked as a Shiur Assistant in Rabbi Shulman’s shiur at Yeshiva University, where he supported and assisted his fellow peers in their studies.

Rabbi Dayan is happily married to Gabrielle and they have a 1 year old daughter. Gabrielle is currently engaged in studies at New York Medical College. They are both grateful and excited to be building their lives together and making valuable contributions to this wonderful community!

Rabbi Eitan Soclof

Rabbinic Intern (2023-2024)

Etan Soclof was born and raised in Cleveland. After high school, he had the privilege of learning in Yeshivat Har Etzion for 3 years and spent his summers as a madrich on NCSY Kollel. He then continued his studies in Yeshiva University, dividing his time between furthering his growth in Talmud Torah, particularly in Rav Rosensweig’s shiur, and pursuing a degree in computer science. Etan is currently in his second year of Semicha at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS).

Etan currently lives in Washington Heights with his wife Elisheva, who is pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University.

Etan and Elisheva are very excited to be part of this caring and tight-knit community, and they look forward to meeting and learning with all of the members!

Rabbi Eitan Soclof & Elisheva

Rabbi Gavriel Gross

Rabbinic Intern (2022-2023)

Gavriel Gross was born and raised in Silver Spring Maryland, where he attended the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy. After high school, he proceeded to spend two years studying at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, and another four at Yeshiva College – where he majored in philosophy. After completing his B.A., he remained at YU for two years studying full time in the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary – where he continues to be enrolled. Deciding he had not attended a sufficient number of educational institutions, he then decided to pursue a J.D. at New York University Law School, where he recently graduated. Beginning Fall ‘23, he will be working as an associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel in New York City. He has been continuously in awe of the hospitality the Fleetwood community has shown, and by the opportunity to benefit from its tight-knit community, warmth, and sense of communal responsibility – all within walking distance of Manhattan.