Looking back, it is hard to believe that just 25 years ago there was not a single Reform congregation with its own building in the heart of modern Israel; Tel Aviv-Jaffa. It is hard to believe that in 1991 we had to battle the City – all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court – for the right to build Beit Daniel; our flagship building that today is still “central command” of the Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism. It is hard to believe that secular Israelis tip toed into Beit Daniel to see how men and women could sit together during services.
As we enter into our 25th year, there is an ever-growing divide between Orthodox and secular Israelis and serious grappling with hard questions about the type democracy and nation we want to be. Our role at the Daniel Centers is to help Israelis actively pursue the promotion of a pluralistic and just society through the core values of Reform Judaism. Beyond running 18 kindergartens, progressive religious studies education in two public primary schools, and educational programming in another 10 schools, we have three congregations and a growing service and learning post-college program for Diaspora youths/young professionals, called Tikkun-Olam in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. We perform hundreds of weddings, Bnai mitzvah and other life cycle events and host Diaspora visitors to further advance Jewish Peoplehood. Each and every interaction that young and old have with the programs and services at the Daniel Centers shapes their collective conscious about inclusiveness, equality, and justice, and ultimately the type society they want to be a part of and the world they want to build.
“Why Beit Daniel? Tell us about a memory from Beit Daniel?”
Community members speak about their memories and experiences at our northern center
Hanna Holtzman, Beit Daniel community member >> Watch video
Corinne Henderson, Student at Beit Daniel’s conversion school >> Watch video
Shmuel Basat, Beit Daniel community member >> Watch video
Ana Amaral, Student at Beit Daniel’s conversion school >> Watch video