PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
"Beit Emanuel Progressive Synagogue" - Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Congregational Rabbi 13- current
Spiritual leadership of a progressive synagogue in an urban community, holding services and sermons, developing and implementing community & social justice projects, performing family rituals, life circle rituals and other ceremonies, teaching various crowds, works together with local lay leadership, municipality and fellow NGO's.
"Achvat Israel – Center for progressive Judaism in Rishon Letzion"
Congregational Rabbi 08-12
Spiritual leadership of a progressive synagogue in an urban community, holding services and sermons, developing and implementing community & social justiceprojects, performing family rituals, life circle rituals and other ceremonies, teaching various crowds, works together with local lay leadership, municipality and fellow NGO's.
"Newe Shalom – Wahat Al-Salam" Elementary School 08-09
Teaching Holly Scriptures in a Jewish-Arab Elementary School
"Sulha Peace Project" 07-08
Executive Director
Day to day management of an interfaith reconciliation organization, facilitating a community of volunteers and friends, facilitating interfaith youth programs, active fundraising and donor liaison, organizing budgets and bookkeeping, constant updating and shaping the web site, networking with local and worldwide colleagues.
"Leo Baeck Education Center" 04-07
1. Student Community Rabbi, 2. Director of Judaic Studies 3. Interim Congregational Rabbi.
1. Lokey International Academy of Jewish Studies: Inauguration of a yearlong educational program for overseas
English speakers students – "Carmel Progressive Be'it Midrash". The program created a community of progressive
Jewish students from around the world. The position included leading daily prayers, implementing intensive Jewish life,
cultivating Judaic and Israel studies, developing Tikkun Olam programs (social justice), and facilitating positive group
dynamics. Since the program was in collaboration with Haifa University I instructed an academic course at the
University- "Introduction to Rabbinic Literature".
2. Leo Baeck High School: Development of a formal curriculum for matriculation exams, teaching Judaic classes,
supervising and supporting the teaching faculty, connection with the Board of Education, responsibility for the
"Jewish voice" in the high school.
3. "Ohel Avraham" Progressive Synagogue: leading Shabbat and Holiday services and sermons, teaching weekly study
sessions, implementing community events and projects, taking part in board meetings, organizing and officiating at
Bar/Bat Mitzvah services and preschool age activities.
"Be'it Daniel Center for Progressive Judaism in Tel Aviv 98 –04
1. Young Adult Leadership Forum (YALF) coordinator, 2. Assistant Rabbi
1. 1999-2000 : Coordinating and leading student and young adult forum in Jewish identity and social justice activities.
2. 2000-2004 : In parallel to the beginning of my Rabbinic Studies, working in the congregation under the supervision of the senior Rabbi Meir Azari – leading Shabbat and Holiday services, implementing community events, teaching conversion classes (Hebrew and English), developing preschool age activities, building youth Be'it Midrash, participating in social action committee, leading Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and other life cycle events and performing in a variety of study and musical sessions.
Informal Education positions 96 –98
1. Kibutz Newe Eitan youth society 2. Regional "HaNo'ar Ha'Oved" youth movement branch in Emek Chefer
Working as a community youth guide, training youth leaders, responsibility to the regular local / regional activities and connection with parents and community councils.
EDUCATION
Tel Aviv University 2009 - Current
Ph.D. Studies at the school of philosophy.
Bar Ilan University 2002-2005
M.A. in Hermeneutical (Cultural Exegetics) studies
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 2000-2004
Rabbinic Ordination
Tel Aviv University 1997-2000
B.A. in History and Classical studies
PUBLIC ACTIVITY
2013 - present : a Member of the SAAPR (South African Association of Progressive Rabbis), since June 2014 - Vice Chair.
2013-2015 Board member of SACRED (the South African Center for Religious Diversity and Equality)
Weekly broadcasting of a radio show, "HaRua'ch VeHametziut" (Spirit and Reality) on "All for Peace Radio", 107.2 .
Member of the Israeli Council of Progressive Rabbi's ("MA'RAM", since mid.2011 - as a secretariat member), of the Inter-religious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI)
and of SHOMREY MISHPAT- Rabbis for Human Rights.
2008-2010 Member of the Education committee of the Israeli – Palestinian NGO's Forum (some of the time as co-chair)