Rabbinic Leadership
Rabbi Nir Barkin
Senior Rabbi and Executive Director
Appointed Senior Rabbi and Executive Director of YOZMA in 2017, Rabbi Nir Barkin had previously served in a variety of capacities at YOZMA since first joining the community in 2004.
Rabbi Barkin and his wife Anat are parents to daughter Amit and sons Omri and Assaf.
"My approach to Israeli culture and the traditions of the Jewish people is based on complete equality. I invite you to take part in the spiritual, educational and communal life at Kehillat YOZMA."
Rabbi Philip Nadel
Rabbi
Rabbi Nadel serves the YOZMA community, including the YOZMA pre-school and nursery school programs. Rabbi Nadel was ordained in 1988 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).
Prior to making aliyah with his family in 2007, Rabbi Nadel was the Co-Director and Jewish Studies Principal of the Milwaukee Jewish Day School in Wisconsin. He also served as head of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
Rabbi Nadel and his family live in Kfar Saba.
“I believe in the power of synagogue communities to enrich and sustain its members through the celebration of Jewish life, including prayer, study, and a commitment to social justice.”
David Azoulay
Rabbi
Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon
Rabbi Emeritus
Founding rabbi of the community. She was ordained in 1981. First woman to function as a community rabbi in Israel. Founded the community of YOZMA in 1997, and served as the community's rabbi under she retired in July 2017. Prior to that, she served as the rabbi of the Ramat Aviv community for seven years and managed a Jewish education system for students from abroad for five years. She was the chairman of the Council of Progressive Rabbis for two terms. Widow of Baruch, mother of Ayelet, Erez, Inbar and Amichai and a grandmother.
Smadar Bilik
Student Rabbi
Smadar has been an active member of IMPJ's congregations since her Bat Mitzvah, and has worked for many years in the field of Jewish education.
Currently, Smadar is a rabbinical student at HUC-JIR. She is married to Ilia and mother to Yonatan and Roni.
"I believe that community life has the power to provide meaning to Jews and Israelis of our times, and in the ability of Jewish tradition to be a source of wisdom, inspiration and comfort.
