Rabbi Hillel Skolnik

Rabbi Hillel has been in Orlando for only six months, yet has sought out every opportunity to be an integral part of our community.  The congregants at SOJC agree that he is energetic, charismatic, friendly, and has great determination to help SOJC grow.  His installation will surely be an exciting event for SOJC.

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 to become 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 and their beautiful newborn son Liav in September 2011.

Hillel, Sharon, Dafna and Liav now reside in the Dr. Philips area of Orlando. They are extremely excited about being part of the wonderful community that is SOJC!

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