Congregation Or Shalom welcomes new rabbi

Or Shalom in Vernon Hills is welcoming a new rabbi for the first time in 20 years.

Ari Margolis, his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters, Laila, 5, and Adaya, 2, recently joined the community. His first service for the congregation was a Shabbat in the Park in Century Park on Friday, July 10, which included a picnic dinner, ice cream social and service at the temple, 21 Hawthorn Place, Vernon Hills.

Margolis replaces Rabbi Scott Looper, who resigned after 20 years. Nina Mizrachi has served as interim rabbi for the past year. Margolis most recently served as the associate rabbi/educator at Temple Beth Or in Raleigh, N.C.

Margolis was born in Skokie and was raised in South Florida. He received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering Northwestern University in 2002. He was ordained as a rabbi at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles in 2010. During his time there, he received a master's degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at HUC-JIR.

Margolis also served as a rabbinic intern and principal of the religious school at Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, California, during his years at HUC.

Many formal and informal opportunities will be planned to meet and welcome the Margolis family to the Or Shalom family.