Six New Israeli Reform Rabbis Ordained at Hebrew Union College’s Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem

Hebrew Union College celebrated the academic achievements of students in its Israel programs during the Ordination and Academic Graduation at the Taube Family Campus on October 31.

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President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D. and Taube Family Campus Dean Nachman Shai presided over the ceremony, which included the ordination by Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste, Director of Hebrew Union College's Israel Rabbinical Program (IRP) of six new Israeli Reform rabbis: Zehavit Kalif; Maayan Morag, Ph.D.; Yael Schweid; Adi Segal; Dganit Timor Jenshil; and Shirley Zfat Davidai. The ordinations bring the total number of IRP alumni to 142, as the new rabbis join their colleagues in serving more than 50 Reform/Progressive congregations, synagogues, institutions, and communities throughout Israel. Among the ordinees and honorees were two Golden Hanassi Fellows and one Hebrew Union College staff member. Justice (Ret.) Esther Hayut, Former President of the Supreme Court of Israel, was honored for her distinguished leadership and service.

The six new Israel Reform rabbis each bring their own journey and perspective to Jewish leadership. Kalif, an educator from Herliya, has devoted her career to strengthening liberal Jewish identity through teaching and community. Morag, a scholar and Golden Hanassi Fellow, blends academic research and activism to promote pluralistic Jewish education across Israel. Segal, a psychologist and feminist leader, integrates mental health, spirituality, and Jewish ritual in her work. Zfat Davidai, a teacher and author, brings an egalitarian lens to Jewish texts and education. Schweid, a psychoanalyst, Jewish thinker, and Golden Hanassi Fellow, bridges psychology and Reform Jewish values in her leadership. Timor Jenshil, Taube Family Campus's own Chief Operating Officer and a seasoned Jewish educator, views her ordination as a continuation of her lifelong mission to inspire connection and belonging within Jewish life.

Read More About the Newest Class of 5786

Confirmation of degrees was presented by Yaron Horovitz, Chair of the Board of Advisors, followed by a Prayer for the Healing of the State of Israel offered by Anna Kislanski, Executive Director of the Israel Reform Movement, and a Prayer for Peace led by Rabbi Benjamin Minich '19, Chair of Maram.

Members of the Board of Governors from both the United States and Israel were in attendance, underscoring the shared commitment to Hebrew Union College's mission and global impact.

During the ceremony, Rehfeld reflected on the courage and resilience of the new rabbis and the broader Hebrew Union College community during this complex moment for Israel and the Jewish people. Addressing the ordinands and graduates, Rehfeld reminded them that ordination marks not an ending, but a new beginning: "More than a location, Hebrew Union College is a living laboratory for progressive Judaism and Jewish leadership. For Judaism does not innovate itself, it depends on rabbis, cantors, educators, and communal leaders who apply Jewish wisdom to the most pressing challenges of our day."

He also honored the faculty and staff who ensured that Hebrew Union College's mission in Jerusalem remained strong throughout the challenges of recent years. "In the face of such seemingly unending challenges, our faculty, staff, and students, responded not by giving up hope, but by recognizing the potential of beginning again," he said. They contributed to helping the campus remain "a vibrant center of learning-a source of comfort and stability in an uncertain time."

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Nachman Shai, Ph.D., Rabbi David Ellenson Dean of the Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem, opened his ordination address by honoring the legacy of the late Ted Taube, z"l, noting that, "Together with the Taube family, we shaped the vision for our campus, and we remain deeply committed to carrying that vision forward." Turning to the ordination of six new rabbis, Shai described them as "messengers…who will dedicate themselves to making this land a better place," and called on them to embark on the vital mission of rebuilding the bridge between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.

Reflecting on the challenges faced by Israel and the global Jewish community, Shai emphasized the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility. "We must teach our younger generations the meaning and value of belonging to one Jewish people-whether in Israel or abroad," he said. He emphasized that the values at the heart of Reform Judaism must guide this renewal, saying, "Israel… must be a Jewish and democratic state-a state of law, equality, pluralism, social justice, and compassion." Concluding with a call to unity, Shai reminded all, "we have no other land, and we have no other Jewish people," affirming the shared responsibility of rabbis and communities to foster understanding and hope across borders.

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Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste, Director of the Israel Rabbinical Program, spoke to the spiritual depth of the ordination moment, describing the newly ordained rabbis as standing "at the threshold of a new gate… For there are seeds that can only sprout in the soil of generations, and prayers that are answered only in the melody of the future." She reflected that true spiritual leadership "means bearing the gaze that bridges past and beyond…to be messengers of hope, even when the end of the road lies beyond our sight."

During the ceremony, honorary degrees were conferred upon distinguished leaders for their extraordinary contributions. The title of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa was conferred on Rabbi Maayan Turner '00 and Rabbi Dan Prath '00, and the title of Doctor of Music, honoris causa was conferred on Cantor David Bentley '00. Rabbi Turner was honored for her dedication to building inclusive Jewish communities, nurturing spiritual and educational life through leadership in congregations such as Kehilat HaDror and Kehilat Kol HaNeshama, and advancing justice and human rights through her work with organizations like Rabbis for Human Rights and Bimkom. Rabbi Prath was recognized for his transformative impact on Jewish education and community life in Israel, fostering pluralistic and inclusive Jewish experiences, empowering youth through innovative programs, and leading cultural and educational initiatives that strengthen communities locally and nationally. Cantor Bentley was celebrated for his groundbreaking role as Australia's first ordained cantor and his decades of devoted musical and spiritual leadership within both the Australian and international Reform Jewish communities.

The title of Doctor of Human Letters, honoris causa was conferred on Justice Esther Hayut. Justice Hayut was honored for her 33-year judicial career culminating as President of the Supreme Court of Israel, her unwavering commitment to justice, ethics, and democracy, and her lifelong dedication to strengthening Israel's legal system and upholding the rule of law.

"The educational and spiritual work you carry out here consistently builds bridges among Israel's diverse communities. You combine Jewish faith and tradition with liberal and humanistic values, thereby embodying the essence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state," she said.

Read Justice Hayut's Bio

In addition to the Israel Rabbinical Program, the Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem is home to the Year-In-Israel Program for first-year students in Hebrew Union College's North American rabbinical and cantorial programs, along with RIKMA, Teachers' Lounge, Jewish Democracy Education Labs, and other activities that aim to strengthen a pluralistic and democratic Jewish society in Israel, as well as the connections between Jewish communities in Israel, North America, and around the world.

Representatives of Hebrew Union College's North America and Israel Boards of Governors, Reform Movement leaders from North America and Israel, alumni, and hundreds of friends and family joined these new Jewish Leaders for this sacred and joyful celebration. As Hebrew Union College celebrates 150 years, this ordination affirms the institution's enduring mission to educate visionary leaders who shape Jewish life around the world, strengthen communities, and share the values of Reform Judaism throughout Israel. The new rabbis, together with the honorees and the global Hebrew Union College community, embody the College's legacy of courage, wisdom, and hope; guiding the Jewish people ever forward toward renewal, purpose, and peace.

Please be sure to come back next week for additional photos.