Rabbi Meir Azari

Rabbi Azari was appointed as the Senior Rabbi of The Beit Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism in 1991. Under his leadership, the Daniel Centers have grown to include four Kehilot throughout Tel Aviv-Jaffa, as well as Mishkenot Ruth Daniel – a Guesthouse and Seminar Center in Jaffa which opened in 1996.

Rabbi Azari received his undergraduate degree in Jewish History and Political Science from Haifa University and his rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. He studied at Hebrew University, San Francisco University, and the Graduate Jewish Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA.

Rabbi Azari served as the Executive Director of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism from 1986-1989. He served twice as the chairperson of the Israeli MARAM (Israeli Council of Reform Rabbis) and served for more than 20 years as a Board Member of the Jewish Agency in Israel.

In 2017 Rabbi Azari received an Honorary Doctorate from Hebrew Union College. He received the International Humanitarian Award from the World Union for Progressive Judaism and from Women of Reform Judaism at the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial in 2017, which recognized his contributions to Progressive Judaism in Israel and around the world. He was the first Reform Rabbi to receive such a prize.

Rabbi Azari has published three books, the first an in-depth look into Israel Independence Day, its customs and traditions, as they have evolved in Israeli society. The second is an edited collection of articles introducing Reform Judaism to Israelis and Hebrew readers. The third book, recently published in 2024, is entitled Lighting the Way: On Jewish Leadership. He has spoken at numerous congregations and conferences in North America and Europe.

Rabbi Azari’s wife Ana has had a long career as a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, previously serving as the Ambassador to Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and now as Ambassador to the Czech Republic. She also served in the past as the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They have two children, Adam and Dafna.