Rabbi Ari Hart

Rabbi Ari Hart began his rabbinate at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue on July 1, 2017. 

He previously served as the associate rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, where he focused on community outreach and creating a welcoming environment for all people within an Orthodox synagogue. His previous rabbinic work took him everywhere from Yale University Hillel to Rikers Island in New York to the shores of Lesvos, Greece responding to the Syrian refugee crisis. An activist rabbi, Rabbi Hart has led multiple efforts to increase awareness of justice issues in the orthodox community, including advocating for immigrant workers in the kosher industry and fighting for victims of sexual abuse.

As a thought leader, he has contributed to leading secular and religious publications, including the Jerusalem Post, Ha’Aretz, The Hill, Patheos, NY Daily News, The Jewish Daily Forward,and more. Rav Ari was selected by The Jewish Week as one of the 36 "forward-thinking young people who are helping to remake the Jewish community." He is also a founder of Uri L'Tzedek: Orthodox Social Justice and co-founder of the Jewish Muslim Volunteer Alliance. Rabbi Hart received smicha (rabbinic ordination) from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York City in 2012.

Since joining Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob, Rabbi Hart and the synagogue have already launched several innovative programs and initiatives, such as welcoming 7 different prayer services into the building over the High Holidays, including free, 1 hour afternoon High Holiday Services in English, a partnership with Mothers Against Senseless Killing to combat gun violence in Chicago, an anti-hate vigil in response to Nazi rallies in Charlottesville, that drew over 350 community residents, prayer concerts, and more. During Rabbi Hart's first 12 months, 69 new households joined the synagogue.

The synagogue's past president, David Rubin, says of Rabbi Hart, "We are blessed to have Rav Ari as our rabbi. He will be transformative for our community. Fundamentally, his arrival reflects our work over the past few years of revitalizing an inclusive, welcoming, and outward looking community firmly rooted in Jewish observance centered in halakha. This has been the ethos of Skokie Valley since its founding over sixty-five years ago and one which Rav Ari will help us take forward into the future.” 

Ariel Wolgel serves as Skokie Valley’s Director of Experiential Learning, and as Youth Director for Skokie Valley and Kol Sasson’s shared youth department. 

As Director of Experiential Learning, Ariel facilitates diverse pathways to explore Torah and spirituality through creative expression, movement, and nature, such as “Maker Beit Midrash,” a Forest Therapy Pesach Mindfulness Experience, and Teshuva Yoga.  As Youth Director, Ariel works in collaboration with the youth committee, parent volunteers, and madrichim to make shul a space where children feel they belong, and where they can grow in Torah, Tefila and Chesed. This vision is the foundation for youth programs, including  interest-based groups on Shabbat morning and the youth kiddush servers program. 

Ariel received her MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew College and is a graduate of the Pardes Educators Program.  Ariel previously taught Jewish studies at the Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit  where she developed her interest in the intersection of learning and creative expression.  She further developed this passion as an Atiq Maker Kollel Fellow, continues to nurture art as a spiritual practice while studying at Yeshivat Maharat.