Israel Scholar in Residence Weekend

This weekend is sponsored by Temple Beth El's Ahavat Medinat Yisrael (Love for the State of Israel) Endowment.
About Rabbi Ayala Ronen Samuels, PhD

Rabbi Samuels is the founding rabbi of Kehillat Tefilat Ha’Adam, a growing Reform community in Caesarea, Israel. She also offers Reform rabbinical services in the larger region of the Carmel Coast. Rabbi Samuels has served as the chair of Maram: the Council of Reform Rabbis in Israel since 2020.

Rabbi Samuels completed her rabbinical education and ordination at the Israeli Rabbinical Training Program at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. She also has a BA in Jewish Thought and Psychology from Haifa University, and a PhD in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Prior to entering the rabbinate, Rabbi Samuels’ work focused on educational leadership training and community development.

Rabbi Samuels grew up on Kibbutz Shamir, in the Upper Galilee. She and her husband Ami have three adult sons.

Events

Friday, March 8 at 7:30pm | Temple Beth El and Livestream

Our Shabbat Evening Service will feature our 2024 Israel Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Ayala Ronen Samuels, PhD. In the first of three presentations over the course of the weekend, Rabbi Samuels will speak during services on,“The Strengths and Challenges of Ahavat Medinat Yisrael (Love for the State of Israel).” Inspired by the name of our Israel fund, Rabbi Samuels will explore the reasons she loves Israel, as well as the current realities that make it hard to love Israel. 

Saturday, March 9 at 9:00am | Temple Beth El and Zoom

Rabbi Ayala Ronen Samuels will lead our weekly Torah Study, exploring our Torah portion and sharing her own unique insights and reflections.  

Saturday, March 9 at 7:00pm | Temple Beth El

Come together to end Shabbat with an evening of community and honest conversation. We will recite the Havdalah blessings to mark the close of Shabbat over coffee and dessert. Rabbi Samuels will share what life has been like for her and her community since the October 7th attack on Israel. Her comments will focus on responding to questions from the group.

Register by Friday, March 8.