KBY -- Har-El

Staff Bios

Israel’s Pioneer Progressive Reform Congregation

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Rabbi Ada Zavidov

Rabbi Ada Zavidov was born in Baltimore, Maryland and made aliyah upon the return of her family to Israel when she was one year old. After finishing high school in Tel Aviv, she served in the Israeli Air Force as a decoder. She holds a BA in philosophy and comparative literature and an MA in Jewish Philosophy, both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In addition, she holds an MA in Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College and received her rabbinic ordination at HUC- Jerusalem in March of 1999.

Rabbi Ada is the founding rabbi of Tzur Hadassah Reform Congregation and since February 2004 is the rabbi of Kehilat Har-El in Jerusalem. Har-El is the founding congregation of the Reform Movement in Israel, and Rabbi Ada is the first woman to serve as its rabbi, and thus in Jerusalem.

In addition, Rabbi Ada teaches in the Israeli rabbinic program at the Jerusalem campus of the Hebrew Union College. She is responsible for student internships and serves as the rabbinic mentor for first-year students.

Most recently, in March 2006, Rabbi Ada was elected to serve as the chairperson of MARAM, the Council of Israeli Progressive Rabbis (the parallel organization to the CCAR).

Cantor Evan Cohen

Cantor Evan Cohen grew up in Monroe, NY, and graduated from the George Washington University in 1996, magna cum laude. There, as a natural continuation of his music studies, he played the tympani in the Wind Ensemble, the congas in “Los Gringos,” and sang in the University Choir, receiving the prestigious Harmon Choral Award. He then enrolled as a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College (HUC) but only completed one year, having fallen in love with Israel and then making aliyah in 1998. Through the influence of Prof. Eliyahu Schleifer at HUC and Cantor Naftali Herstik at Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue, he fell in love again, this time with chazzanut. Cantor Evan is first Reform graduate of the Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute (directed by Cantor Herstik) and has served as the cantor of Kehilat Har-El since 2001. Representing his congregation and his alma mater, he has performed across Israel, Holland, and the USA to great acclaim. He has also on the faculty of the Hebrew Union College, teaching biblical cantillation and nusach to students in both the North American and Israeli programs, and has released his first album, “HaShabbat Shebalev”, a recording of the music of Kabbalat Shabbat at Kehilat Har-El.

Cantor Evan insists on mentioning his third and most important love, that of his wife, Miri Hoberman.

Michael Adam – Executive Director

This is my “Philosophy of Life”:

"Just as rain from the cloud above pours down on the empty field below, it brings to the clumps of earth tidings of green." Naomi Shemer

When rain pours down from the cloud above and falls upon the exactly the right place, the uncultivated field, the potentially fertile soil turns green again and there is a realization that mutual aims have been achieved. In this way there is an active present with expectations for the future. I like the conception of the cooperation between the cloud and the field, the water acting on the seeds and the fulfillment of this beautiful vision.

Born in November 1960
Married to Revital.
Father of Lidor, Ram, and Yam.

I live with them most of the time and enjoy the fact that these children have chosen me to be their guide through the creative field of life.

Experience: In conversation, in listening to people, in being understanding, in building relationships with people.

Since November 2003, I have been serving as the executive director of Kehilat Har-El. In addition, I am a personal coach, leading workshops on personal development and a lecturer on Hebrew poetry.

Beforehand, my work experience included:

From 1996-2003, director of the department of education and culture of "Beit Shmuel – Mercaz Shimshon". At the same time, for two years I was the first artistic director of the "Hirsch Theatre".
From 1994-1996, I founded and managed an events planning office and created the course, "Direction and Production of Cultural Events" at the Hebrew University.
From 1988-1994, I was the coordinator of “Mofet” (Institutions for the Development of Culture)
From 1985-1988, at the Hebrew University, I produced two plays in the workshop of the late Professor Zachs.

My outstanding personal contributions during this period: creativity in planning and actualization of plans; initiative; efficiency and resourcefulness throughout the length of the project, especially at moments of crisis; support and encouragement; and the construction of supportive structures.

Other Members of the Har-El Staff

Gigi Babad – office manager: harelcon@netvision.net.il

Ruti Nechmad – preschool director

Snunit Gal – Pedagogical Supervisor

Auni Amraneh – building superintendent and groundskeeper

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