Harry Silverman has been actively involved in the Conservative Movement for over forty-five years.

A creative visionary, Harry’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to blend faith and business. This is demonstrated by his multiple Executive Director roles within the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ).  His continued successes are evidenced by his ability to consistently secure partners with financial and emotional buy-in to generate millions in funding and to expand the organization’s visibility both within the community and the general public.

Harry’s innovative and inclusive leadership style led him to initiate a series of best practices which allowed these organizations to manage change, adapt to new technologies, increase and diversify funding sources, and achieve sustained, positive relationships with the boards of directors and congregation members.

Since 1987, Harry has been a major presence within the Jewish community in Florida.  He has served as Executive Director for the Southeast Region as well as three Conservative congregations: Temple Sinai of Hollywood (1994 – 2000 and 2011-2016), B’nai Torah of Boca Raton (1991 – 1993) and Adath Yeshurun of North Miami Beach (1987 – 1991).  Within these organizations, Harry oversaw $1M plus budgets, directed major campus-wide building renovation and construction efforts, managed all financial operations; supervised all programs; worked with clergy on all religious activities; developed membership in-take procedures; and coordinated volunteers. 

Prior to his moving to Florida, Harry was promoted through a series of positions within USCJ in Oklahoma, Texas and New York. Earlier career titles included: Director of Regional Activities, Executive Director, Southwest Region, and Director of Youth Activities in both the Southwest and Southeast Regions.   His first role was as a Director of Education and Youth for Emanuel Synagogue in Oklahoma City. 

An inspirational and positive public speaker, Harry has interfaced regularly with media and the wider religious community.  His impressive academic background includes coursework for a PhD from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, a Master’s in Sociology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA and a Bachelor’s in Sociology (with a minor in Judaic Studies) from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.  He was awarded a Fellow in Synagogue Administration, and a Fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health. 

An active volunteer, Harry has completed eighteen trips to Poland and Eastern Europe as the Assistant Tour Group Leader for the Southern Region of the March of the Living.  This is an annual program which brings Jewish high school students from all over the world to observe Holocaust Memorial Day in Poland and Independence Day in Israel.  His affiliation and honors include: Vice President/Treasurer of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives as well as being a Charter Member and Past President of the Jewish Youth Director’s Association. 

In 2011, Harry and his colleague, Aaron Kischel, founded Synagogue Solutions, USA which focuses on providing long-term consulting services, workshops, symposiums and seminars to congregations throughout the US.  In addition, this company will provide customized travel experiences in Eastern Europe and Latin America focusing on the breadth, diversity and heritage of the global Jewish Community.

Harry is married to Gayle Savage and they are the proud parents of Noam Ari (Lauren), an attorney with J, M and A, and Leor Raanan, a travel consultant with Expedia in Orlando, and grandparents of Riley Nash.  

Aaron Kischel

Aaron Kischel has been actively involved in synagogue life since 1964.

A masterful blend of professional business acumen and spiritual exuberance, Aaron has played an integral role in developing major Jewish programs and growing temple membership throughout Massachusetts.  His entire career reflects his passionate belief that through strategic planning, counseling of synagogue leadership, administrative officers and executive directors while simultaneously actively involving members – the Conservative Movement will thrive.

Aaron’s career began as a youth director for Temple Beth Am in Randolph, MA where within one season he grew teen membership from 25 to 350.  Due to this success, he was approached by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) to become Director of Youth Activities for the New England Region.   Aaron became one of the founding members, and later president, of the Jewish Youth Directors Association.

For the next ten years, Aaron played an integral role in developing many extensive new programs and activities for United Synagogue Youth (USY) throughout New England.  He fervently believes that participation in this group forms lifelong friendships and memories which, in turn, dramatically increase chapter membership and revenue.  His positions included Group Leader for USY on Wheels and USY Israel Pilgrimage.  He served as the Assistant Director for the USY Israel Pilgrimage one season.

In 1975, Aaron was asked to assume the role of Executive Director of the New England Region by the United Synagogue’s leadership.  For the next 36 years, Aaron served in this capacity.  During this time, he trained interns from the Hornstein Program at Brandeis University, counseled many new synagogue professionals, broadened the scope of the regional executive committee and supervised a well-balanced office operation.

A major presence in the Conservative Movement in New England, Aaron has led dozens of congregations through strategic planning and focus group processes.  He initiated new procedures which led to the strengthening of congregational governance and policies.  Counseling congregational presidents, administrative officers and directors was part of his everyday activities.

Aaron is a founding member of the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts, an organization representing congregations of all denominations.  His efforts were acknowledged by the organization with its Founders Award.  His congregational program was enhanced by being the staff consultant for over 30 years to the prestigious International USCJ Solomon Schechter Awards program.  This program reviews and acknowledges the best in synagogue programming.

For over 12 years, Aaron has represented congregational denominations to the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston in their “Follow Me to Israel Seminar” which encourages travel to Israel for teens and enhances public relations for Israel.  In addition, he has served as a leader for the USCJ Hazak Missions to Israel, having taken over 300 mature adults on this program.

In 2011, Aaron and his colleague, Harry Silverman, founded Synagogue Solutions USA which focuses on providing long-term consulting services, workshops, symposia and seminars for congregations throughout the US.  In addition, the organization provides customized travel experiences in Eastern Europe and Latin America focusing on the breadth, diversity and heritage of the global Jewish community.

Aaron holds a BS in Psychology from Boston State College and an MS in Sociology from Boston College.  Aaron and his wife, Ellen, live in Sharon, Massachusetts where he has been an active member of Temple Israel since 1973.  They are the proud parents of three sons; Adam, Michael and Danny, who is married to Rabbi Jaymee Alpert.