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Our Rabbi - Hillel Norry

As a rabbi for more than twenty five years, Rabbi Hillel Norry knows about prayer and religious practice. Steeped in traditional Jewish worship, Rabbi Norry has developed a philosophy of spiritual practice that draws inspiration from visual and creative arts, athletics, and other spiritual tradtions. A scholar of both ancient and contemporary meditation and rituals, Rabbi Norry brings a unique blend of experiential learning to Temple Beth David.  

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Rabbi Norry was ordained by The Jewish Theological Seminary in 1993, and later pursued doctoral studies in Talmud while serving as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Professional and Pastoral Skills, founding and teaching in the Seminary’s beit midrash for rabbinical students.

Rabbi Norry has served as spiritual leader at Congregation Shaare Zedek on the Upper West Side of New York City and as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta. More recently, Rabbi Norry served as the Interim Rabbi for the communities of Chattanooga and Birmingham.

Rabbi Norry has appeared on CNN, the CBS Morning Show, Fox & Friends, as well as several appearances on Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting. An avid vegetarian chef and proponent of ethical eating, he has taught vegetarian cooking on cable television, at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, to Emory Hillel students in his own kitchen, and at Shearith Israel. In 1999, he was the rabbinical consultant for the Ed Norton and Ben Stiller film Keeping the Faith.

Rabbi Norry is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do (3rd Dan). He advocates self-defense training and teaches about the mental and spiritual aspects of martial arts.

A lifelong musician, Rabbi Norry is an accomplished guitarist and harmonica player.

Mon, March 18 2024 8 Adar II 5784