Our Rabbi

Rabbi Sholom Skolnik is Kesser Israel's New Rabbi and will begin his

new roll on September 1, 2022!

Rabbi Skolnik is well known to our community as a superb teacher and Torah scholar, having come to Portland in 2017 from the Phoenix Kollel to serve on the teaching staff at Maayan Torah Day School. He has worked as Director of Adult Education at the Portland Kollel, as the Rabbi at Congregation Ahavat Achim, and recently completed his Masters Degree in Teacher Leadership through Brandeis University. Our new Rebbetzin, Mrs. Chaviva Skolnik, has also taught at Maayan, in addition to serving on the Kesser Israel Board of Directors for several years. She is currently completing a Masters Degree in Social Work through Yeshiva University.  Over the past five years we have all come to admire and value the Skolniks not only as knowledgeable and skilled professionals but also as kind and reliable friends. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful couple stepping in to serve as the next leaders of our shul.