Rabbi, Community Builder, Educator, Public speaker, Facilitator, Consultant, Artist, Writer.
Almond Rod – Chaplaincy & Consultancy – Founding Director
2023 – Present
Leading an independent non-denominational faith based institution, delivering religious and life cycle services, cultural heritage and educational programs, community building and social involvement.
Beit Emanuel Progressive Synagogue, Johannesburg, SA — Congregational Rabbi
2013 – 2023
Spiritual leadership, community building and NGO management of an urban congregation of few hundred members; Officiating religious and community events, life cycle services with accordance to the SA Progressive Jewish code; directing in reach programs to community constituencies: families, youth, young adults, cultural clubs etc. ; Fundraising ; Setting curriculum and teaching adult and children ; Chaplain duties toward the sick, bereaved and elderly ; Community outreach, Collaborating with other Faith-based and civil society organizations, involvement in social and cultural endeavors within the wider JHB communities and national institutions.
Achvat Yisrael Congregation, Rishon LeZion, Israel — Congregational Rabbi
2009 – 2013
Spiritual leadership, Community building, and NGO management for an urban congregation of under 100 members; Officiating religious, communal and life cycle services with accordance to the Israeli Progressive Jewish code; Public engagements, Neighborhood and municipal collaborations ; Relationship with local school communities ; Fundraising ; Setting curriculum and teaching adult and children; Chaplain duties toward the sick, bereaved and elderly ; Community outreach ; Production of cultural events.
New Shalom / Wahat A Salam / Oasis of Peace – School teacher
2007-2008
Teaching scriptures and religious studies at the bi-national, bi-lingual (Arabic – Hebrew) children’s educational framework of the Arab-Jewish village and area.
Sulha Peace Project (Israel/Palestine) – Executive Director
2007 – 2009
Day to day management of an interfaith reconciliation NGO, in the Israeli/Palestinian context. Building community of volunteers, facilitating interfaith youth, adult, and family’s programs, producing cultural events (few thousands of people in the major ones). Fundraising/ Donor liaison, Budgeting and bookkeeping, web site and socials apprising, liaising with Israeli and Palestinian officials, network with local and global colleagues.
Leo Baeck Education Center – Haifa, Israel
1. Head of Students Program
2. Director of Jewish Studies
3. Interim Congregational Rabbi
2004 – 2007
1. Under the Lokey International Academy of Jewish Studies: Inauguration of an educational year program for overseas English speaker’s students – “Carmel Progressive Be’it Midrash”. The program created a community of progressive Jewish students from around the world.
The position included leading the program’s religious life, Teaching Judaic studies [Including teaching at the Haifa University International School], absorbing the participants in social justice programs, facilitating group dynamics.
2. Under the Leo Baeck High School: Development of, teaching grades 10-12 curriculum for matriculation exams, supervising and supporting the teaching faculty, connection with school bodies and Board of Education.
3. Under “Ohel Avraham” Progressive Synagogue: leading Shabbat and Holiday services, delivering sermons, conducting life cycle events, teaching weekly study sessions, implementing community events and projec
Beit Daniel Center for Progressive Judaism, Tel Aviv, Israel
1. Young Adult Leadership Forum (YALF) coordinator
2. Assistant Rabbi
1998 – 2004
1. 1998-2000: Directing young adult, students and volunteer’s forum in Jewish identity, cultural and social justice activities.
2. 2000-2004: In parallel to the Rabbinic Studies: working as assistant Rabbi under supervision of the senior Rabbi – leading Shabbat and Festival services, producing communal events, teaching children and adult’s classes, preschool engagement programs, Tempe Youth programs, partaking at community social action committee, performing study and musical sessions.
Non-Formal education positions – Beit She’an Valley; Heffer Valley; Israel.
1996 – 1998
Community youth instructor, facilitating youth leadership programs, Running yearly set of regional youth club activities, educational and social content, Planning and producing day trips and overnight camps. Liaising with parent’s council, schools, and other and community institutions.
Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel — PH.D. Studies (Degree uncompleted)
2009 – 2013
Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities; the dissertation dealt with descriptions of revelation and redemption in Martin Buber’s philosophy.
Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel – M.A.
2002 – 2005
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies; the dissertation dealt with anthropological readings of the Second Temple, based on relevant Mishna descriptions.
Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem – Rabbinic Ordination
2000 – 2004
The Israel Rabbinical Program: Rabbinic thesis presented guidelines for “Ararat” – an interfaith holistic academy.
Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel — B.A.
1997-2000
Faculty of Humanities, major in History and Classical Studies.
2013 – 2023:
Member of the SAAPR (South African Association of Progressive Rabbis)
June 2014 – May 2018 – Vice Chair
May 2018 – July 2020 – Chair
2013-2016
Board member, SACRED (the South African Center for Religious Diversity and Equality)
2003 – 2013
Member of the Israeli Council of Progressive Rabbi’s (“MA’RAM”) (Secretariat member on 2011)
2009 – 2011
Member and co-chair of the Education committee of the Israeli – Palestinian NGO’s Forum
2009 – 2013
Member of the Inter-Religious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI)
Member of SHOMREY MISHPAT- Rabbis for Human Rights.
2011-2013
Member of the Israeli Green Movement Party. (Chair of Party conference in 2012)
“Peace on God’s Land”
(Book published by Reselling Press, TLV, 2012)
“Gate was sealed”
(Video project – 2015, Hebrew/Arabic)
2009 – 2013 “Spirit and Reality”
(Weekly radio broadcast show at “All for Peace Radio”, 107.2.)
