Rabbi Hillel Norry is not your typical rabbi. You’re just as likely to find him in the kitchen preparing gourmet vegetarian meals or on stage playing the harmonica in our annual Purim play as you are to find him in the sanctuary leading our congregation in prayer and learning. With abundant energy and ideas, Rabbi Norry is taking Congregation Shearith Israel strongly into its second century.

Rabbi Norry came to Atlanta in 2002 from New York City, where he was responsible for revitalizing Congregation Shaare Zedek by attracting many young families and singles. While in New York, he also served as the Rabbinic Consultant for the Ed Norton and Ben Stiller film, "Keeping the Faith."

Rabbi Norry and his family are hardly strangers to Atlanta. He was raised in Rochester, New York, but he has a large extended family here. In fact, he and his wife, Johanna, were married at the Fox Theatre in 1999.

He is a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and has served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Professional and Pastoral Skills. He has served on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, a 25-member committee which is the central halachic authority that speaks for the Conservative movement and offers parameters to guide local rabbis.  Having grown up as a camper at Camp Ramah in Canada, Rabbi Norry continues to serve as a Scholar in Residence at different Ramah camps whenever he can.

Rabbi Norry, his wife, Johanna, and their children, Natanya and Zamir, live in Morningside.