Gerard Daniel was born in Hamburg, Germany into a modern orthodox Jewish family. He attended a state recognized Jewish Gymnasium, Talmud Tora Oberrealschule .Upon his graduation, he came to live in Palestine. In British Palestine, Gerard married Ruth Feilchenfeld whose family had made Aliyah earlier from Berlin. They had two children, Ralph and Miriam, both born in Tel Aviv. In 1947 he joined, with his family, his only surviving brother in the U.S.

He and Ruth established a business manufacturing hi-tech filter media for numerous industrial usages, specifically in the aerospace industry. The company established factories in California, Europe and Asia, and eventually it was sold to an English Bank in 1986.

Ruth and Gerard quickly became involved in American Jewish liberal causes. Gerard served as President of Larchmont Temple and Ruth was Temple Secretary. In 1980, Gerard was elected President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and Ruth became its Treasurer. Gerard served for two terms until 1988, and in 1990, with their dedication to progressive Judaism and passion for Israel, Ruth and Gerard built a Reform Synagogue and Community Center in Tel Aviv, the first of its kind in Israel.

Beit Daniel became an instant success. As an address for Israelis searching for a progressive and modern link to their Jewish identity, Beit Daniel quickly transformed into a vibrant community center offering holiday and Shabbat services, life cycle events, and a fresh approach to Jewish education. Beit Daniel’s achievements in Tel Aviv lead the Daniel family to build a Reform youth and community center in Jaffa. Ruth did not live to see the completion of this large initiative; she died in June of 2006.   But her vision and dreams of bringing progressive Judaism into the lives of the Israeli society lives on, and the Jaffa Center, Mishkenot Ruth Daniel, is named in her honor.

Ruth, a person who lived her life to help others, dedicated much of her time to help underprivileged children.  She worked tirelessly to help bring treatment to crippled children in Israel, she became Life President of New Rochelle, N.Y. Day Care, and worked daily at a day care in New Town, Sarasota, Florida.  Additionally, Ruth was on the board of numerous organizations, among them the U.A.H.C., family services in New York and Florida, Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation, The Jewish Housing Council, and for many years she chaired the Jewish Conciliation Board under New York Federation auspices. Her ardor and enthusiasm for social change has touched the lives of so many families, and her dedication to the movement has allowed progressive Judaism to reach so many people in Israel and in the world. 

The Daniel Family and friends have, above all else, given the Daniel Centers of Tel Aviv their time, love, and dedication.  Without these Gerard, Ruth,  their children Ralph and Miriam and son-in-law Larry, progressive Judaism in Israel would not be the same.  They have helped create not only two buildings, but they have helped forge a strong and growing community.  They continue to work hard to keep the Daniel Center´s programs running and reaching more people, and they have a vision of social change through their initiatives.