An Intimate Conversation with Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon, the First Woman Rabbi in Israel: Right Wingers, Hostages and Hope

Rabbi Shiryon is the first woman to function as a rabbi in the State of Israel and the first woman to lead one of Israel’s rabbinical organizations. She was the founding spiritual leader of YOZMA, Modi’in’s Reform Synagogue and Community Center and is presently rabbi emerita. YOZMA set a historical precedent as the first non-Orthodox synagogue in Israel to receive public funding.

Rabbi Shiryon was awarded Career Woman of the Year, 2000 for her outstanding contribution to the city of Modi’in. She served as the chairperson of Israel’s Council of Progressive Rabbis (MARAM) from 2002-2006. In 2013, she was granted the Cohon Memorial Foundation Rescue Award for promoting Jewish life in the State of Israel. Throughout her career, she has helped introduce Israelis to the possibilities of liberal Judaism and significantly advanced religious equality in Israel. Although now retired from YOZMA, she continues to be an outspoken advocate for Reform Judaism in Israel.