Israel & Its Liberal Jews: the Past, the Present & the Possible

Please join us in welcoming Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin, grandson of Rabbi Elias Charry, as this year’s Rabbi Elias Charry Memorial Scholar-in-Residence. Rabbi Ben-Chorin, a third-generation Israeli Reform spiritual leader and Doctor of Education, brings to his work an experiential, musical, and “midrashic” approach to learning and prayer. In serving Reform communities in Israel, the United States, and Europe for over twenty years, Golan has employed a unique balance of tradition and innovation, including fluency in both traditional and current liturgical music and trends. Building on his doctoral research, which explored the power of Jewish pluralism in identity formation, Rabbi Ben-Chorin is sensitive to both intra- and inter-cultural nuances and dynamics and how these matter for the survival of progressive Judaism, on both individual and community levels. Most recently, Golan worked together with a committed group of lay-leaders in founding The Rosh Pina Reform Congregation, a vibrant, successful, and sustainable start-up community in Israel’s Northern periphery.

Israel and Its Liberal Jews: the Past, the Present, and the Possible

A personal narrative on Israel’s realities and the role of liberal Judaism in shaping its future

Based on three decades of spiritual and educational entrepreneurial work in Israel, Rabbi Golan will share his experiences, insights and factually-grounded optimism on the complexities of Israeli realities and their trajectories. Presenting on how one actively engages with a society established on a Prophet driven vision while battling the profit driven market mentality, Rabbi Golan encourages questions, challenges, and honest dialogue.

Rabbi Elias Charry Memorial Shabbat is made possible by the Julius and Ray Charlestein Foundation and an endowment established in memory of Fannie, Samuel, and Arthur Weiss. GJC extends thanks and gratitude to the Wolfe Family Foundation for their support in all GJC programming.

Rabbi Elias Charry

Rabbi Charry served as the Centre’s religious leader from 1942-1973. His commitment to social justice and to the well-being of West Mt. Airy, combined with his personal involvement with our members, earned him the love and respect of the congregation and the community. Committed to a progressive approach to Conservative Judaism, Rabbi Charry was an early champion of women’s rights, and he supported women’s full participation in prayer. Our congregation’s desire for diversity in prayer experiences was realized under Rabbi Charry’s leadership.  Continued Jewish learning was Rabbi Charry’s compelling interest.  He spearheaded innovations in Jewish education, working to create our Adult Education Institute and co-founding Akiba Hebrew Academy (now Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy).   Rabbi Charry was steadfast in his resolve that GJC remain in Mt. Airy.  He is credited as one of the leaders who helped maintain Mt. Airy as a vibrant, multi-cultural community and as a center of Jewish life.  Rabbi Elias Charry was a dedicated and inspiring teacher who believed that the study of Torah and its truth resulted in an augmented humanism, stronger identification with Judaism, and a dedication to the continued growth and existence of the State of Israel.

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