Rabbi Zaki Dayan
Rabbi Zaki Dayan received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshiva University and completed the prestigious Kollel Elyon, Yeshiva University’s premier post-semicha fellowship for emerging rabbinic leaders.
Rabbi Dayan serves as the Rabbi of Fleetwood Synagogue and as the Founding Rosh Kollel of the Ramaz Upper School Kollel. He is passionate about inspiring meaningful Torah learning, fostering genuine relationships, and building a warm, vibrant Modern Orthodox community.
Rabbi Dayan’s approach to the rabbinate is rooted in the belief that every individual and family should feel valued, connected, and empowered to grow in their Jewish journey. He enjoys teaching Torah to learners of all backgrounds, supporting congregants through life’s milestones and challenges, and creating opportunities for people to connect with one another and with Jewish tradition. His vision for Fleetwood Synagogue is to cultivate a welcoming community where Torah, tefillah, chesed, and friendship thrive together.
Rabbi Dayan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Yeshiva University, where he was recognized for excellence in both Talmud and the arts. Fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in Hebrew, he enjoys connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.
Rabbi Dayan and his wife, Gabrielle, a medical student, are proud to call Fleetwood home. Together with their daughters, Naomi Ashira and Ayala Leah, they are excited to grow alongside the congregation and help shape the future of the Fleetwood community.
To speak to the Rabbi, please feel free to reach out at RabbiDayab@fleetwoodsynagogue.org.
Rabbi Dr. Yossi Cohen
Our Previous Rabbi
Rabbi Dr. Yosef Cohen is a pediatric resident at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. Born in Jerusalem and raised in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Yeshiva University and completed his M.D. at the Technion American Medical School in Haifa, Israel.
In parallel with his medical career, Rabbi Dr. Cohen received semicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) in 2019 and is currently pursuing advanced ordination at Yeshiva University. For more than five years, he has served as a research assistant to Rabbi Dr. J. David Bleich, focusing on contemporary issues in medical ethics and halacha. In addition to this work, he has published his own articles in the field of medical halacha and has been invited to speak on these topics at synagogues, community events, and educational institutions.
From 2018 to 2021, Rabbi Dr. Cohen and his wife Eliana served as the rabbinic couple for the Technion’s Jewish community in Haifa, guiding a diverse group of students through shiurim, halachic guidance, and Shabbat hospitality. He has also served as a summer rabbinic intern at Congregation Beth Aaron in Teaneck, NJ, and as a scholar-in-residence at Shaarei Torah of Syracuse.
Rabbi Dr. Cohen lives in Fleetwood with his wife, Dr. Eliana Cohen, a practicing dentist and graduate of the Touro College of Dental Medicine. They are the proud parents of three energetic children who love attending and participating in shul events. Rabbi Cohen strongly believes in building a community where children are welcomed and incorporated into the shul services.
Rabbi Avraham Walkenfeld
Rabbinic Intern 2025-2026
Avraham and Rivka Walkenfeld both grew up in Passaic, New Jersey, though they only met later, and are now living in Hillside, New Jersey. Avraham attended Yesodei Yeshuron for high school, then joined YU as an early admissions student before spending a year learning at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh. He returned to YU to continue his learning and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He went on to earn his MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and will be working part-time this year as a clinical therapist. Avraham is continuing his studies in RIETS under the tutelage of Rabbi Michael Taubes and is also serving as a shiur assistant.
Rivka is a student at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and is passionate about exploring the intersection of Judaism, medicine, and ethics. Avraham and Rivka are thrilled to be joining the Fleetwood community, and they look forward to getting to know everyone and sharing some Torah!
Rabbi Yossi Rybak
Rabbinic Intern (2024-2025)
Yossi Rybak was raised in Passaic, New Jersey and attended Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah in Queens for high school. Subsequently, he had the privilege of learning for two years in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh under the tutelage of Rabbi Mendel Blachman. He then continued his learning in Yeshiva University, spending three years in Rabbi Michael Rosensweig’s shiur as a member of the Masmidim Honors Program while concurrently earning a BA in economics. Yossi is currently in his third year of Semicha at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). He is looking forward to getting to know the Fleetwood community and to a wonderful and uplifting year of sharing Torah together.
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 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.