Rabbi Gerald Skolnik elected Rabbinical Assembly president

(JTA) — Rabbi Gerald Skolnik of New York City was elected president of the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative rabbis during its national convention.

Skolnik, 59, spiritual leader of The Forest Hills Jewish Center, was elected Monday at the convention in Atlanta. He succeeds Rabbi Gilah Dror, who held the position for the past two years. Skolnik had served as the RA’s vice president.

Skolnik has been senior rabbi at The Forest Hills Jewish Center, the largest Conservative congregation in Queens, since 1984 after serving as the assistant for nearly three years. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1981.

“I am honored and humbled to assume the presidency of the RA at this critical juncture for the Conservative movement,” Skolnik said at Monday’s installation ceremony.