New CEO Larry Skolnick Honored to Lead Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

Skolnick, with nearly 30 years of JCC experience, aims to continue the Houston center's legacy of innovation and community engagement.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:31am

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Larry Skolnick, the new CEO of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center in Houston, is excited to lead the organization. Skolnick, who has nearly 30 years of experience working in JCCs, most recently served as president and CEO of the Memphis JCC for 13 years. He sees the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC as a "frontrunner in terms of innovation, programming and service delivery" and plans to continue its role in bridging the gap between the Jewish and broader communities.

Why it matters

JCCs play a vital role in many Jewish communities, serving as hubs for cultural, educational, and recreational activities. Skolnick's appointment comes at a time when JCCs are increasingly important in fostering understanding and engagement between Jewish and non-Jewish residents, especially in the wake of rising antisemitism.

The details

Skolnick, a 54-year-old native of Louisville, Kentucky, began his tenure as CEO of the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC on December 22, 2025. Prior to Memphis, he worked for eight years as the director of both the JCC and Jewish Federation in Dayton, Ohio, and for six years as associate director for the JCC of Greater Palm Beaches in Florida. Skolnick sees his role as a "lead-by-example CEO", regularly interacting with members, staff, and programming to get a firsthand sense of the organization's operations.

  • Skolnick began his tenure as CEO of the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC on December 22, 2025.
  • The rise in antisemitism occurred on October 7, 2023.

The players

Larry Skolnick

The 54-year-old new CEO of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center in Houston, with nearly 30 years of experience working in JCCs, most recently as president and CEO of the Memphis JCC for 13 years.

Joel Dinkin

Skolnick's predecessor as CEO of the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC.

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What they’re saying

“I may not be putting food in an oven or wiping down equipment every day, but I really do enjoy the interaction with everyone who walks through the door. I make it a point to be out in the facility and experience what we're doing on a regular basis to get a sense of what's happening with our members, staff and programming.”

— Larry Skolnick, CEO, Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

“JCCs are the most uniquely positioned Jewish entity to bridge the gap between the Jewish community and the broader community to have meaningful engagement, and this JCC has done that incredibly well for many, many years. After Oct. 7 [2023] and the rise of antisemitism, it's now more important than ever for JCCs to enhance that role.”

— Larry Skolnick, CEO, Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

The takeaway

Skolnick's appointment as CEO of the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC comes at a critical time, as JCCs nationwide play an increasingly important role in fostering understanding and engagement between Jewish and non-Jewish communities, especially in the face of rising antisemitism. His commitment to leading by example and maintaining the JCC's legacy of innovation and community service suggests the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC will continue to thrive under his leadership.