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Who we are – At the Forefront of Reform Judaism in Israel 

The Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism was founded in 1991 by a group of leaders with a vision for a modern Israel grounded in pluralism and egalitarianism. They recognized the growing need to provide a Jewish home for countless Israelis who were deeply connected to the Jewish tradition yet were not Orthodox in their values or practice. Over the last thirty years the Daniel Centers has become one of the leading Reform organizations in Israel and we continue in our vision to promote and renew Jewish spirit in the Jewish state.  We have become the lighthouse for thousands of Israelis who seek to celebrate their tradition in a place that also speaks to their values of egalitarianism and inclusivity. 

We now have centers around Tel Aviv to meet the vast needs of our community.

  • Beit Daniel – Our founding center, Beit Daniel has become a religious and cultural institution for Reform Judaism in Tel Aviv.
  • Kehilat HaLev – Nesstled in the heart of Tel Aviv, Kehilat HaLev brings a diverse community together for uplifting, intimate prayer through music.
  • Tiferet Shalom – Bringing Sabras (native Israelis) and Olim (new immigrants) together, Tiferet Shalom was one of Israel’s first synagogues for egalitarian prayer and joined the Daniel Centers in 2020.

Our Founders

Rabbi Moshe Zemer (z’’l) held a vision of Progressive Judaism in modern Israel. He made Aliyah in 1963, then established Congregation Kedem in Tel-Aviv in 1968 which he led for twenty years and would later become The Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism.

Ruth (z”l) and Gerard (z”l) Daniel shared his vision.  Their passion for Israel and dedication to advocating for a pluralistic and inclusive Jewish Israeli society, rich in tradition and grounded in egalitarianism, brought individuals and organizations from Israel and abroad to the founding of The Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism.

The Daniel Family has worked tirelessly to bring this vision to fruition. Even after their family moved to the United States, they continued to be very involved in their synagogue and Jewish community. Gerard served as President and Ruth was Secretary of Larchmont Temple in Westchester County, New York. He and Ruth also served on many boards of Jewish Organizations, including Federation, in the U.S.

Gerard went on to serve as President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. In recognition of his leadership in Israel, he was given the title of honorary citizen of Tel Aviv by Mayor Ron Huldai in 2010.

Their legacy continues through the work of their children Ralph and Miriam, and son-in-law Larry Wolff.  They formed the Friends of the Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism to provide opportunities for American Jews to be connected to Israel, to advocate for pluralism and support programs for individuals and families in Tel Aviv-Jaffa.

“And they said: Let us rise and build, they strengthened their hands for the good work.”      

                                                Nehmiah 2:18

Our Initiatives 

Our initiatives are “calls to action” and serve the diverse needs of the changing face of Israeli society. For example, our J-Education programs are for every age. We provide Judaic education and teacher training in the public school system throughout Tel Aviv-Yafo and the surrounding areas, which is supported by the Ministry of Education.

We bridge community and celebrate our cultural diversity with our successful Embracing our Differences (Shonim Beyachad) program, an educational art project in schools from many sectors of Israeli society meant to endow the values of equality, tolerance and inclusion of the other.

For three decades we have worked on the front lines – alongside our peers, and partners in Israel and abroad including, the World Zionist Conference (WZC), and the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), The Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), and many more. We have hosted  international conferences with hundreds of attendees, as well as for the International Cantors Assembly, the North American Rabbinical Assembly, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

In the last year, we also had contributed to Israel’s war efforts to help bring light in these ever dark days. In addition to ensuring our daily lives stay as normal as possible, including continuing important life cycle events, like weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and Reform conversions, we have organized community-wide prayers and programs to help a spiritual safe space to heal, come together, and connect. For months, we also provided shelter in our Mishkenot Ruth Daniel Guest House for displaced people and families from the north and south.

This all happened because of you, our friends from far and wide.  Join us as we continue to change the face of Israeli society, by building an Israel grounded in fairness and equality. Your generosity allows us to continue all of these incredible programs and to continue to spread our outreach further and help bring pluralistic Judaism to more Israelis.