We are excited to welcome a new team member and (soon-to-be) Rabbi, to our family here at Northern Hills Congregation. Benjamin G. Azriel took on the role of Rabbi-Administrator on April 1, 2020. In his job, Ben is looking forward to working with the wonderful volunteers of the congregation, coordinating schedules, working on synagogue projects and even answering the phone and chatting with congregants.
Ben is originally from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. He is an Alum of The Ohio State University, where he earned a dual-major in Political Science and Economics with a speciality in American judicial politics and economic regression analysis.
While in school, Ben was a Youth Engagement Director for a local synagogue. After finishing school, Ben worked as a tax accountant for two years in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, Ben was the Financial Director of a Columbus congregation.
Ben also served on the staff of Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute for five years in various positions and has staffed multiple trips to Israel. During rabbinical school, Ben worked as a student Rabbi at Temple B'nai Israel in Northern Michigan and B'nai Israel In Parkersburg, WV. Also, he served Hillels at Texas A&M University, University of Texas-Austin and Miami University in Oxford.
Ben strives to bring his love for Judaism, which formed the ethics he lives his life by, with his knowledge for program development and administration, to create meaningful program, service, and fiscal opportunities.
Ben lives in Mariemont, with his wife Rachel (his high school sweetheart), a medical student at the University of Cincinnati, and their dog Wrigley. In his free time, Ben loves to spend time outside. He is getting his garden ready for the season, fixing up his bike and planning home projects using his basement workshop. Ben is very much looking forward to joining to Northern Hills family and is eager to get to know our community.
