What has Hamas wrought? Israeli and Diaspora Jews have spoken of significant changes in attitude about Zionism and security, public safety and antisemitism in the wake of the Hamas invasion on Shemini Atzeret/ Simhat Torah. What might all this mean for synagogue life and rabbinic leadership?
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch is the senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. With a fiery voice, a listening heart and a brilliant mind, Rabbi Hirsch articulates a clear vision for the survival and success of American Judaism while tending compassionately to the needs of his growing congregation.
Internationally recognized for his leadership in Jewish affairs, Rabbi Hirsch is frequently cited in the media. In 2018, The Jerusalem Post named him among “The 50 Most Influential Jews of the Year.” City & State praised him as “the borough’s most influential voice” for Manhattan’s more than 300,000 Jews and The New York Observer named him among “New York’s Most Influential Religious Leaders.”
Yael Splansky is the Senior Rabbi of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto’s first synagogue. She joined the congregation upon her ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion twenty-five years ago, became its thirteenth Senior Rabbi in 2014, and in celebration of a quarter century of leadership now proudly holds the Baskin Garson Senior Rabbinic Chair.
Rabbi Splansky currently serves as past President of the Toronto Board of Rabbis, on the Beit Din of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto, and on the President’s Rabbinic Council of HUC-JIR. She is a Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute and editor of Siddur Pirchei KodeshPast
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal is the CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), the two largest organizations of the Masorti/Conservative Movement. Following his ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary, he served for 20 years as founding rabbi of Shaare Torah in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Rabbi Blumenthal also served in various lay leadership capacities within the Rabbinical Assembly, including chairman of the Joint Placement Commission, member of the Executive Council and Administrative Committee, and the Our RA Vision strategic planning initiative.