A Proud History
Forty-five years ago, in the spring of 1958, a small group of Jerusalemites, originating from many different countries and all walks of life, led by the scholar and philosopher Prof. Schalom Ben-Chorin, formed the nucleus of a congregation that they called the ''Association for the Renewal of Religious Life in Israel.'' Their ideas were the same as those of Reform-minded Jews everywhere: to preserve and to convey Jewish faith and tradition in a way that is relevant for modern times and to create a progressive congregation in Jerusalem and a national movement in Israel, based on egalitarianism and tolerance, as an alternative to religious extremists who deny pluralism and democracy as intrinsic values of Judaism.

From those early beginnings, Har-El evolved as Israel's first Progressive-Reform congregation and became the forerunner of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.

During its first few years, the congregation me in private homes or hired halls until, in 1962, it finally moved to its present home in beautiful old building in Jerusalem's city center.
 

Har-El Today
Since then, the congregation has developed steadily and interest in progressive Judaism in Jerusalem continues to increase every year. Our successful programs include two preschool classes for children aged 2-4; activities for immigrants from all over the world, especially from Argentina and the former Soviet Union; a unique Bar/Bat Mitzvah workshop, a ''beit midrash'' (literally, house of study) which draws people from the Jerusalem community at large, an active youth group which places an emphasis on social justice, and spiritual Shabbat and holiday services known for their integration of congregational singing with traditional chazzanut.

Today, Har-El's membership is made up of a wide cross-section of the Jerusalem public, including academics, writers, professionals and artists, Sephardim and Ashkenazim, native Israelis and immigrants. We are led by our new rabbi, Ada Zavidov (who is Jerusalem’s first and only female congregational rabbi) who, together with our administrator and program director, Michael Adam, and our cantor, Evan Cohen, look forward to contributing to the present sense of renewal and excitement, which marks the Har-El community.

In contrast to Israel’s Orthodox congregations, our congregation receives no meaningful funding from the Israeli government. Donations from our friends abroad are crucial, therefore, especially in the light of Israel’s current political and economic circumstances. At this difficult time in Israel’s history, you can help us to provide a strong Reform voice for a tolerant, creative, and compassionate Jewish society within an ever-growing sector of Jerusalem’s population.
 

Celebrating a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Come celebrate your child’s bar or bat mitzvah with Israel’s first Reform congregation at our synagogue in Jerusalem, at the Southern Wall, or at Massada!   Please click HERE for more information.