FOGH National Rabbinic Cabinet

Rabbis across the denominational spectrum play a defining role in shaping Jewish values, discourse, and communal priorities of the American Jewish community. The FOGH National Rabbinic Cabinet is made up of national prominent rabbinic leaders from across the denominational spectrum. Each member is committed to strengthening Israel from within by supporting initiatives that advance partnership, dignity, and mutual respect between Israeli's Jewish and Arab citizens.  

The Rabbinic Cabinet is designed to provide moral leadership in support of a “shared society” in Israel. The Rabbinic Cabinet champions the belief that Israel’s long-term strength as a Jewish and democratic state depends, not only on security and politics, but on the health of its civil society and the equal treatment of all Israeli citizens, regardless of religion, ethnic origin or ideology, a commitment first articulated in Israel’s Declaration of Independence.

At a time of deep polarization within Israeli society and across the global Jewish community, rabbinic leadership is uniquely positioned to elevate moral clarity, foster nuance, and model principled engagement with complexity. Givat Haviva’s work promoting Jewish-Arab partnership speaks directly to three core Jewish values: b’tzelem Elohim (the dignity of every human being); rodef shalom (the pro-active advancement of peace); and tzedek, tzedek tirdof (the creation of a just and inclusive society). The Rabbinic Cabinet believes that the above-mentioned values must transcend political divisions within Israel and that a shared society in Israel is a Jewish imperative. 

Expectations for Members of the Friends of Givat Haviva Rabbinic Cabinet

Members of the Rabbinic Cabinet do not have any governance responsibilities. Rather, the Cabinet serves as a thought leadership and ambassadorial body, helping to:

  • Elevate awareness of Givat Haviva’s shared society initiatives within the American Jewish community;
  • Encourage synagogue, Federation, and donor engagement through values-based leadership;
  • Help reframe conversations about Israel towards civic partnership, inclusion, and democratic resilience.

Each Rabbi in the Cabinet will find different ways to advance the above-mentioned objectives. Those activities may include:

  • Normalize support for shared society initiatives as a core expression of Jewish values and connection to Israel;
  • Encourage fellow rabbis to engage with Friends of Givat Haviva through learning, dialogue, and institutional support;
  • Elevate Givat Haviva on their congregational agendas, including adult education, Israel programming, and social justice initiatives;
  • Promote discretionary and “good works” giving, including rabbinic discretionary funds, tzedakah allocations, and special appeals;
  • Ensure Givat Haviva is considered when congregations plan Israel missions, teen trips, or leadership visits;
  • Make introductions for Givat Haviva staff who are visiting North America to synagogues, rabbinic networks, Federations, and with potential donors.

Friends of Givat Haviva National Rabbinic Cabinet Members

Rabbi Sid Schwarz, Chair; Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Orthodox Vice-Chair; Detroit, MI
Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Recon/Indep Vice-Chair; W. Roxbury, MA
Rabbi Emily Segal, Reform Vice-Chair; Phoenix, AZ
Rabbi Amy Wallk, Conservative Vice-Chair; Springfield, MA

Rabbi Adena Blum, Princeton Junction, NJ
Rabbi Malcolm Cohen, Tucson, AZ
Rabbi Carie Carter, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Michelle Dardashti, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Chase Foster, Marietta, GA
Rabbi David Glickman, Overland Park, KS
Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz, Westborough, MA
Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, Chicago, IL
Rabbi David Ingber, New York, NY
Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky, Palo Alto, CA
Rabbi Beth Kalisch, Gladwyne, PA
Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein, Williamsville, NY
Rabbi Amanda Russell, San Francisco, CA
Rabbi Michael Schwab, Highland Park, IL
Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, Falls Church, VA
Rabbi Hyim Shafner, Washington, DC
Rabbi Jodie Siff, Plandome, NY
Rabbi Jay TelRav, Stamford, CT
Rabbi Herb Tobin, Newton, MA
Rabbi David Weiner, Pittsfield, MA

Testimonials

“At this time of growing partisanship around Israel advocacy, there is nothing more critical than to find a cause that can unite Jews across the political divide, both in Israel and in the Diaspora. That cause is “shared society” and Givat Haviva has been a pioneer in this field for more than 50 years."

Rabbi Sid Schwarz, Author; Director of the Clergy Leadership Incubator (CLI); and Founding Rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (Bethesda, MD).

"In a time of such entrenched division, the work of shared society has never been more important.  The work of Givat Haviva is a beacon of hope for future built on understand and relationship, and I am grateful to have the chance to support this deeply meaningful work."

Rabbi Emily E. Segal (she,her); Senior Rabbi, Temple Chai, Scottsdale, AZ

“I am happy to support Givat Haviva because I believe in a shared society in Israel.  As a proud American Jew, I feel obligated to support Arab Israelis, Jewish Israelis and Palestinians who work towards this dream.  These dreams give me hope and we must never lose our hope, difficult and challenging as that feels some times.”

Rabbi Amy Wallk, Temple Beth El, Springfield, MA

“I was introduced to Givat Haviva through the incredible Nurit Gery, head of the Givat Haviva International School, where students from all over the world, including Arab and Jewish students, come to learn and grow and live together and thrive on their differences and similarities. I was lucky enough to visit a few times and have the students - especially the ones from Israel and Jerusalem, Arab and Jewish, religious and secular - talk about how they became best friends and were able to bridge the divides that separate their communities. The school filled me with hope for the future of Israel and, really, the entire world, as these students are indeed the future and Givat Haviva has shown that shared society can work."

Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Etz Chaim Congregation in Detroit, MI and former President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York.

"As a life-long believer in the vision of Israel’s Declaration of Independence and as a loving critic of injustices that have prevented Israel from achieving that vision, I have found Givat Haviva’s work in shared society a powerful source of transformation for Israel, and a model for the region."

Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Temple Hillel B’nai Torah (Emerita),Roxbury, MA