Scholar in Residence Weekend in collaboration with Temple Emeth & Congregation Adas Emuno
Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin
Rabbi Golan, Ed.D., is the grandson of one of the founders of the Israeli Reform Movement, the son of the first Israeli-born Reform Rabbi, and himself the founder of two Reform communities in Israel. From his grandfather’s establishment of the first Reform congregation in Israel in his living room, to his father’s dual role as congregational rabbi and tank commander in the IDF, to his own creation of a congregation rooted in a community garden in the Galilee—Rabbi Golan’s personal story reflects the broader journey of Reform Judaism and the ongoing struggle to shape a liberal democracy in Israel. Drawing on these experiences, he offers both historical perspective and forward-looking vision, highlighting how Reform Judaism has shaped Israeli society, deepened Israel–Diaspora relations, and can play a vital role in safeguarding Israel’s democratic future.
In recent years, Rabbi Golan has been active in the movement to defend Israeli democracy, bringing his voice and leadership to the public square. His work and charismatic presentations weave together history, activism, and spirituality, offering a compelling lens on how Jewish communities in Israel and around the world can strengthen one another in this time of profound challenge and opportunity.
Schedule of events:
Friday, February 13 at 7:00 pm at Congregation Adas Emuno (254 Broad Ave, Leonia, NJ 07605)
Will Israel Be a Homeland for Liberal Jews? The Israeli Reform Movement as a Transformative Answer
From the founding of Israeli Reform Judaism in his grandfather’s living room, through his experiences—a fourth-generation Israeli Reform Jew who served in the Gaza war—and into his work today as the rabbi of Ma’alot Tivon, one of Israel’s pioneering Reform congregations, these remarks offer an insider’s perspective on the vital role of Israeli Reform Judaism in advancing liberal values and safeguarding Israel as an inclusive Jewish-democratic homeland.
This program will be shown on livestream at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live.
Saturday, February 14 at 9:30 am at Temple Sinai (1 Engle St, Tenafly, NJ 07670)
Snacking with God, the blood covenant and what the Torah has to say about majority rule.
Join Rabbi Ben-Chorin in exploring key excerpts from this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim (“Laws”). Together, we will consider how these ancient verses are both relevant and being reinterpreted in ways that carry troubling implications for the rule of law in today’s Israel—amid rising Messianic currents and ongoing political attacks on the judiciary. This week’s reading also carries a powerful message of hope, and we will explore how the Israeli Reform Movement is at the forefront of bringing that vision to life in Israel today.
Torah Study will be followed by a collaborative Shabbat Morning Service at 11:00 am and a Festive Kiddush Lunch at 12:30 pm.
Torah Study Link
Shabbat Morning Service Link
Sunday, February 15 at 11:00 am at Temple Emeth (1666 Windsor Rd, Teaneck, NJ 07666)
October, 6th, 7th & 8th – Before, During and After the War in Gaza.
Israel—and the Jewish people—have been transformed by the deadliest attack on Jews in the past 80 years. Remarkably, and tragically, it occurred in the State of Israel. Rabbi Ben-Chorin will offer an insider’s perspective on how this trauma is reshaping Israeli society and what it means for the future of the state. He will conclude with a small but meaningful call to action—one that can make us true partners in the ongoing struggle to safeguard Israel’s Jewish-democratic future. This program will be shown on Livestream at https://www.emeth.org/livestream
A bagel breakfast will precede the program at 10:00 am.
If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP for any events in which you may be interested:
