Synagogue and Community News

The Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel is dedicated to spreading the message of pluralism and inclusive and traditional Judaism to Israeli society.  The following is a story about Masorti Rabbi Barry Schlesinger who was recently elected president of the Israeli branch of the Rabbinical Assembly.

Rabbi Schlesinger’s religious roots were not in the Conservative Movement. He grew up in an Orthodox family in Englewood, New Jersey, made aliyah in 1972 and studied social work at Bar Ilan University. After his graduation, he and his wife settled in the Northern Israeli town of Tzefat where he was director of Project Renewal and director of the Sector Community Center in Tzefat's Caanan Neighborhood.

He became director of the Moross Community Center in the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem. In 1993 he enrolled in the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies MA Program with specialization in informal education. This experience ultimately led him to the Schechter Rabbinical School where he received smicha in 2001. Since 2001, Schlesinger has been Rabbi of Kehillat Moreshet Avraham in East Talpiot, Jerusalem.  Rabbi Schlesinger sees Kehillat Moreshet Avraham as a Jewish Community Center and a focal point for Jewish education, cultural activities, chessed projects and tefila for the local residents and the southeastern Jerusalem area.

“I will dedicate my term to strengthening the Conservative Movement and Masorti rabbinate in Israel,” said Rabbi Schlesinger.  “Israelis need Masorti rabbis and Masorti rabbis have to be in the front lines reaching out to all Israelis.”

Since the Rabbinical Assembly’s founding in 1901, it has been the creative force shaping the ideology, programs, and practices of the Conservative movement and is committed to building and strengthening the totality of Jewish life.  Rabbis of the Assembly serve congregations throughout the world, and also work as educators, officers of communal service organizations, and college, hospital, and military chaplains.

Rabbi Schlesinger will replace Rabbi Peretz Rodman who served as the President of the Rabbinical Assembly in Israel for the last two years. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Masorti Movement, please contact:

Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 832
New York, NY 10115-0068
1.212.870.2216
1.877.287.7414 toll-free
www.masorti.org
info@masorti.org