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 Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation (“SOJC”) is a vibrant, family friendly synagogue committed to our diverse kehillah (community) and world Jewry.  SOJC promotes the values of Conservative Judaism, such as the importance of family, religious education, tikkun olam (repairing the world) and gemilut hassadim (acts of loving kindness).  We offer family friendly, participatory and fully egalitarian services each Shabbat and during every Festival.  We encourage and provide learning opportunities for children, adults and families, and our religious school (K-7) is one of the largest in the Orlando area.  Our three (3) active youth groups keep our young people engaged and learning (grades 3-12).  SOJC provides social opportunities for our members to connect with their friends in a warm, accepting and caring Jewish environment.  Our monthly Newsletter and Calendar will give you the pulse of what’s happening at SOJC.

Founded in 1982 and renamed in 1994, SOJC completed its present synagogue building in 1992. SOJC’s mission is to be a vibrant Southwest Orlando community for Jewish spiritual enrichment, values, education and social enjoyment. Since our very beginning, SOJC’s core values have remained rock steady as we proudly proclaim we are a conservative, egalitarian, family-oriented, inclusive and welcoming community. SOJC respects the principles, ethics and ideals of Conservative Judaism and we are committed to preserving these values for future generations. We welcome Jews from all backgrounds.

SOJC is affiliated with the United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism.

SOJC is proud to announce that Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, his wife Rabbi Sharon Skolnik and their two year old daughter, Dafna are the newest members of the SOJC family!

Hillel Boaz Skolnik was ordained at Jewish Theological Seminary of America in May, 2011.  This past summer, Hillel and his family moved down to Orlando where he currently serves as the Rabbi of the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation.

Born in New York, Hillel spent his entire childhood in Forest Hills, Queens.  He is a graduate of both the Solomon Schechter School of Queens and the Solomon Schechter High School of Long Island.  Before beginning Brandeis University in 2002, Hillel spent the year in Israel as a participant of the Nativ Leadership Program and enjoyed wonderful learning at the Conservative Yeshiva as well as volunteering in the potato and carrot fields of Kibbutz Saad.  In December of 2005, he graduated Brandeis University (cum laude) earning degrees in Politics and Near Eastern Judaic Studies.

Hillel enjoyed many summers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires first as a camper, then as a counselor, Rosh Edah (Division Head), and Operations Manager.  Hillel has also completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, acting as a chaplain at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan.  In addition, Hillel served for a year as the Rabbinic Intern and Hebrew School Principal at the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Roslyn, NY.

Hillel has always loved being in synagogue ever since he was a little boy.  He began reading Torah at a young age and after his Bar Mitzvah quickly became a regular shaliach tzibbur (service leader) including on the High Holidays.  In addition to his Judaism, Hillel is passionate about many things in life, including his family, Israel, and ultimate frisbee.

It was back at Brandeis that Hillel met a wonderful woman named Sharon Barr, who now goes by the name Rabbi Sharon Barr Skolnik (ordained from JTS in 2009).  The two were married on June 18, 2006 and welcomed their wonderful daughter Dafna into the world on March 9, 2009.

Hillel, Sharon and Dafna now reside in the Dr. Philips area of Orlando.  They are extremely excited about being part of the wonderful community that is SOJC!  For more information about the synagogue, please visit www.sojc.org.

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