Beth Jacob Congregation

       Rabbi Uri Pilichowski grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey with Rabbi Benjamin Yudin and Rabbi Saul Zucker as his mentors and teachers. He attended Yavneh Academy day school and Frisch High School, where he was privileged to be taught by Beth Jacob's own, Senior Rabbi, Steven Weil. He was the youth director in his synagogue in Fair Lawn, led a chesed program for his high school and various other community activities. Rabbi Pilichowski went to Israel to learn Torah at Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion for two years and then became a dorm counselor while continuing his Torah education. After marrying Aliza, Rabbi Pilichowski joined the Meretz Kollel, a Kollel for Israeli men, who upon completing their studies go out and develop communities in Israel and the Diaspora, and Rabbi Pilichowski did just that! While learning in Kollel in Eretz Yisrael, Rabbi Pilichowski taught and mentored younger Yeshiva boys. After completing his Rabbinical studies, under the supervision of Rabbi Sinai Adler, he moved to Los Angeles. As Assistant Rabbi, Rabbi Pilichowski wears many hats. Besides his Rabbinical duties, Rabbi Pilichowski assists his wife Aliza with the youth department. Shabbat can find him running the hashkama minyan and then the best teen minyan in town, while during the week he is usually found at local eateries with the kids. He is also chair of the Va'ad Hachinuch at Hillel Harkham Hebrew Academy. With all of this, Rabbi Pilichowski finds time for his favorites, teaching Torah at three local schools, Hillel, YULA and Maimonides.

An Israeli citizen and former member of the Israel Civil Defense, Rabbi Pilichowski prides himself in his involvement with the Pro-Israel community. He writes weekly divrie Torah for AIPAC, and with AIPAC’s help began the first Synagogue teen pro-Israel group. After its initial success, Rabbi Pilichowski was able to partner with YULA and YICC to extend the program to teenagers throughout Los Angeles.