Sholom Lipskar

Sholom Dovber Lipskar (August 1, 1946 – May 3, 2025) was an American Orthodox rabbi and community leader. He founded The Shul of Bal Harbour, which he led for more than four decades, and the Aleph Institute, and was known for his contributions to Jewish outreach, military chaplaincy, and support for incarcerated individuals.

Described as "one of Florida’s most influential Orthodox leaders" and as "a pioneer in modern Jewish outreach," Lipskar played a key role in developing Jewish life in Surfside and Bal Harbour over more than four decades, transforming them into thriving Jewish communities.

Early life and education Lipskar was born on August 1, 1946 in Tashkent, Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic to Rabbi Eliyahu Akiva and Rochel Baila (née Duchman) Lipskar, 20 days before his family escaped the country to flee Stalinist persecution. He conducted prison visits and taught Torah to incarcerated individuals.

In 1982, at the direction of Rabbi Schneerson, Lipskar and his wife Chani established a Chabad congregation in Bal Harbour. The town attracted wealthy and influential individuals from around the world, and Schneerson saw the potential for a thriving synagogue there to serve as a model for similar communities. He had been involved in expanding Chabad schools and yeshivas in South Florida since the 1960s. At the time, housing deeds in Bal Harbour specifically barred the sale of homes to Jews, and local institutions maintained exclusionary policies. According to his nephew, Lipskar did not view his property in person during his search for a home and only saw it after it had been purchased. Lipskar fought to install a public Hanukkah menorah and divided his time between his congregation and the Aleph Institute.

Following Lipskar’s arrival, the Bal Harbour Jewish community grew significantly. The Shul of Bal Harbour eventually became one of the largest Orthodox synagogues in Miami-Dade County, and has served thousands, including a substantial Sephardic and Latin American constituency. In the aftermath of the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse, Lipskar transformed it into a support center for first responders and families of the missing. It has also hosted dignitaries including Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Argentine President Javier Milei.

Lipskar served as the official chaplain endorser for the U.S. Department of Defense and for the Educational Academy for the Elderly, where he oversaw pilot programs aimed at redefining educational priorities for older adults. He also founded the Miami International Conferences on Torah and Science.

Personal life Lipskar was married to Chani Minkowicz. They had two children: Zalman Lipskar, a rabbi, and Devorah Leah Andrusier. He had several grandchildren.

Death Lipskar died of heart failure in Miami, on May 3, 2025, after a period of declining health. He was 78. His funeral procession passed the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn before his burial at Montefiore Cemetery in Queens.

Upon Lipskar’s death, former Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted, "We were honored to call him a friend. He was a guiding light during the Surfside tragedy and will always be remembered for his kind spirit." In a eulogy, Yeshiva World News described Lipskar's legacy as one of "towering leadership, boundless heart, and an unwavering commitment to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's shlichus."