One of the highlights of the conferences of our previous Movements was always the incredible and diverse range of voices and talents from across Progressive Judaism, both here and abroad.
This tradition will continue at Hineinu and Shirei Chagigah, with five inspiring individuals joining us from Israel and North America. We profile them below.*
MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv made history by becoming the first ever Progressive Rabbi elected to Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) in 2021. Since then, he has been considered one of the Knesset’s most outstanding members with his parliamentary initiatives, speeches and legislative efforts making him a leading voice of Progressive Zionism in Israel. Rabbi Gilad has put our shared values into action by advancing legislative proposals and speaking out in areas including civil rights, the rule of law, freedom of religion, combating violence, and promoting a shared society.
Cantor Rosalie Will is the Founder and Program Advisor of Sing Unto God, the non-profit that trains songleaders to build sacred communities of learning, prayer and healing. She also serves as Lead Consultant to America’s Union for Reform Judaism on issues related to music and worship. With decades of experience as a leader, teacher, consultant and performer in new worship trends, Rosalie advises communities on how to create innovative approaches to worship that honour tradition while fully embracing how people gather today and how they may come together in the future.
Rabbi Michael Marmur is Professor of Jewish Theology at Hebrew Union College Jerusalem. Born and raised in the UK, Rabbi Michael moved to Israel in 1984. As well as his role at HUC, he has written a number of important books, including Abraham Joshua Heschel and the Sources of Wonder, taught at the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa and served as Chair of the Board of Rabbis for Human Rights. His late father, Rabbi Dow Marmur, was a hugely popular and key figure in the growth of Progressive Judaism in the UK and around the world.
Lesley Sachs is the Chair of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). Born in South Africa, and immigrating to Israel aged five, Lesley is an activist and artist who has devoted her career to organisations combating gender discrimination and promoting egalitarian practices in Judaism. She previously served as Executive Director of the Israel Women’s Network, Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, Vice President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and founding director of Project Kesher Israel, which supports Russian-speaking immigrant women.
Cantor Josh Breitzer, President of the American Conference of Cantors, sings and teaches in communities throughout North America and around the world, earning recognition by The Forward as one of the best new Jewish music voices. He has served Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, NY since his 2011 ordination from Hebrew Union College, where he also holds the title Clinical Instructor in Cantorial Arts. An alumnus of the Clergy Leadership Program of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Cantor Josh strives to model in all his work how to weave traditional and contemporary liturgical settings into a holistic, compelling prayer experience.
*Speakers subject to change