At a Glance:

Hillel Skolnik

[email protected] ◊ (917)-553-0300 ◊ www.hillelskolnik.com

Rabbi Hillel Skolnik is a passionate, energetic, and creative rabbi with exceptional education, pastoral, synagogue, and leadership skills. He brings his engaging personality, sense of humor and musicality to every aspect of his work. Rabbi Skolnik currently serves the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation and has inspired a period of spiritual, educational, programmatic and membership growth in the synagogue.

Professional Experience

Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation (SOJC), Orlando, FL
August 2011-present

• As a solo rabbi, Rabbi Hillel…
  • Plans and accompanies on guitar for musical Friday Night services.
  • Has envisioned, organized and led synagogues’ first congregational Israel trip.
  • Fosters a caring community that is welcoming to Jewish families of diverse experiences and backgrounds.
  • Oversees, develops and teaches in all synagogue educational experiences
  • Writes weekly Torah spark and delivers weekly interactive Torah teaching on Friday night and Shabbat morning.
  • Envisions and helps to implement renovation of synagogue space.
  • Various administrative tasks (edits weekly congregational email, monthly bulletin, creates and edits various other synagogue-wide communication).
  • Has guided and taught over 20 students on their journey to becoming Jewish.
  • Secures grants for new programming.
  • Grows the membership of SOJC – membership increased by %33 over 6+ years

Shelter Rock Jewish Center, Roslyn, NY
July 2010-June 2011

• As Hebrew School Principal was responsible for: leadership and organization of synagogue Hebrew School including hiring staff, consulting with synagogue leadership, managing budget, communicating with families, resolving behavioral issues, etc.
• As Rabbinic Intern was responsible for: leading Junior Congregation, organizing various synagogue-wide Friday night dinners, delivering several sermons, attending daily minyan, shadowing Rabbi Martin Cohen (Senior Rabbi) in life-cycle events and mentoring with him.

Forest Hills Jewish Center, Forest Hills, NY
Spring 2006-’07, 2008-2010

• Created community of davening students through leadership of Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon t’filot.
• Teacher of prayer, Torah, Talmud, Israel today, etc. for 5th – 12th grade students

United Synagogue Youth, New York, NY
Summer 2003, January 2009

• Assistant Hebrew Editor for the new B’kol Echad
• Israel Pilgrimage/Poland Seminar Counselor

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
2007-2009

• Engaged students and community members in uplifting High Holiday Services.

Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, Wingdale, NY
2001-‘02, 2004-’06, 2008

• Counselor, Rosh Edah, and Operations Manager
• Worked with full age range of campers and became comfortable with creating appropriate programming for all stages of adolescent development.
• Nurtured one particular group of campers from their first days in camp until their last days as campers and understood the power of successful long-term relationships.

Anisfield Day Camp at the Mandel JCC of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
2007

• Village Supervisor (Division head) for entering 3rd and 4th graders.
• Established leadership presence in a new environment filled with veteran staff.

OTHER LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES

Greater Orlando Board of Rabbis (GOBOR)
Member August 2011-present; President January 2014-present

• Serves as representative of local rabbis to Jewish Community, organizes communal events including Support for Israel rallies, schedules and conducts meetings of GOBOR members.

Orlando Sentinel “Central Florida 100 Most Influential Voices”
October 2015 – present

• Shapes opinions of Central Florida residents by offering regular opinions, published on the Orlando Sentinel website and in print, on the biggest news stories of the past and upcoming weeks

Orange County Public School Faith Based Advisory Committee
November 2013-present

• Serves with interfaith leaders to advise Orange County Public Schools superintendent and chief-of-staff in matters of education, faith relations and education.

Central Florida Coalition on Homelessness; Faith Committee
Spring 2017 – present

• Along with other Interfaith leaders of Central Florida, works to assist finding resources and housing for those who need it.
• Serves on the Budget Subcommittee

Summit on Religious Freedom Steering Committee
Spring 2017 – present

• Serves with Interfaith leaders in envisioning, creating, and implementing an annual summit promoting the values of religious freedom.

Faith Against Domestic Violence (FADv)
Founding member – March 2015-present

• Engaged with community and faith leaders to bring increased awareness and prevention.

Bellevue Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education, New York, NY
Summer 2009

• Counseled and ministered to patients, families, staff and colleagues of different faiths through completion of 400-hour internship.

Manginah; Brandeis’ Coed Jewish A cappella Group, Brandeis University
2002-December ‘05

• Musical Director and Business Manager
• Developed group’s musical repertoire and coordinated recording of new album.

The Nativ Leadership Program in Israel
2001-‘02

Education

The Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY
Rabbinic ordination and M.A.

Machon Schechter, Jerusalem, Israel
JTS in Jerusalem

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
B.A. (cum laude) with majors in Near Eastern & Judaic Studies and Politics

The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel