In this episode, Rabbi Cohen highlights the experiences of Rabbi Miri Gold, a pioneer in non-Orthodox Judaism in Israel, and discusses the unique aspects of Kibbutz Gezer. The conversation also delves into the challenges and insights gained from rabbinic education, emphasizing the importance of these experiences in shaping Jewish life. This conversation explores the journey of a pioneering woman rabbi in Israel, discussing her experiences in rabbinical school, the challenges faced by women in the rabbinate, and her impact on Jewish life in a kibbutz. It also delves into the legal battles for recognition and funding for non-Orthodox rabbis, and the evolving landscape of liberal Judaism in Israel.

ABout the Guest

Miri Gold (Hebrew: מירי גולד) is the first non-Orthodox rabbi in Israel to have her salary paid for by funds taken from taxpayers.[1] She was born in Detroit, but in 1977 she immigrated to Kibbutz Gezer along with other North Americans.[2] When the founder of the kibbutz's congregation (Kehilat Birkat Shalom) left, Gold began leading High Holidays services and preparing children for bat mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs.[3] Gold entered the Reform movement's Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in 1994, and was ordained in 1999.[4] At the time she was paid by the congregation, since the Israeli government did not recognize non-Orthodox rabbis.[5] Gold petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court in 2005 to change this, and in 2012 a ruling by the Israeli attorney general granted her request.[6][7]

In November 2024, Rabbi Gold was awarded a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa by Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, "for her work as a pioneering rabbi who conceived, founded, and built Birkat Shalom Congregation in Kibbutz Gezer, a groundbreaking model of state support and recognition of Reform Judaism in Israel".[8]

In this episode, Rabbi Cohen speaks with Rabbi Ada Zavidov about her journey to the rabbinate.

Rabbi Ada Zavidov was born in 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland to Israeli parents and made aliyah upon her family's return to Israel when she was one year old. After finishing high school in Tel Aviv, she served in the Israeli Air Force as a decoder. She holds a BA in philosophy and comparative literature and an MA in Jewish Philosophy, both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In addition, she holds an MA in Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College and received her rabbinic ordination at HUC- Jerusalem in March of 1999.

Rabbi Ada was the founding rabbi of Tzur Hadassah Reform Congregation and since February 2004 serves as the rabbi of Kehilat Har-El in Jerusalem. Har-El is the founding congregation of the Reform Movement in Israel, and Rabbi Ada is the first woman to lead Har-El as its spiritual leader and senior rabbi.

In addition to her congregational work, Rabbi Ada has served as the chairperson of MARAM (the Council of Israeli Progressive Rabbis) from 2006-2008 and has taught in the Israeli rabbinical program of Hebrew Union College – Jerusalem.

Rabbi Ada regularly holds classes for members of Har-El on a variety of subjects: the weekly Torah portion, the prophets of Israel, Ezra & Nehemiah, and Talmud. She feels a connection in particular to classic rabbinic philosophy and chassidic thought.

In her "spare time", she enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading classical literature (in particular from the 19th century), sitting back in her armchair and watching a good movie, and cooking and baking.

In this episode, Rabbi Cohen speaks with Rabbi Peretz Rodman, a Jerusalem-based educator, writer, and translator.

Rabbi Peretz Rodman earned a B.A. and M.A. in Jewish studies at Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Hebrew Literature at Hebrew College. He was among the inaugural cohort of the Jerusalem Fellows, and later earned rabbinic ordination at the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary.

In this episode, Rabbi Phil Cohen chats with Rabba Sigalit Ur about her journey to the rabbinate.

Rabbi Phil Cohen introduces The Rabbi Podcast, coming December 9, 2025, at 8 a.m. US EST.

Ron Kronish and I became friends when a relatively small number of years ago I met him at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute where he has an office.

He emerged from that office to meet me wearing a big smile.

We had coffee, talked about Israel, about the rabbinate, our families and like that. We've stayed in touch ever since.

Ron founded and directed the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel. He blogs for The Times of Israel and writes book reviews for The Jerusalem Report.