Miri Gold

Miri Gold is a pioneering Israeli rabbi who has made significant strides in the field of Judaism. Born in Detroit, she relocated to Kibbutz Gezer in 1977, where she eventually took on a leadership role in the congregation. As the community's spiritual leader, Gold led High Holidays services and guided children in their preparation for bat mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs. Her journey towards becoming a rabbi began in 1994 when she enrolled in the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, a prominent institution affiliated with the Reform movement.

Gold's ordination in 1999 marked the beginning of her career as a rabbi, although she faced challenges in terms of recognition and funding. Initially, her salary was covered by the congregation, as the Israeli government did not acknowledge non-Orthodox rabbis at the time. Undeterred, Gold petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court in 2005, seeking a change in this policy. Her efforts ultimately led to a breakthrough in 2012, when the Israeli attorney general issued a ruling that paved the way for her to become the first non-Orthodox rabbi in Israel to receive a salary funded by taxpayer money. This milestone marked a significant achievement for Gold and a major step forward for non-Orthodox Judaism in Israel.