The Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism is a

Reform Jewish Reform Judaism, also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism, is a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of Judaism, the superiority of its ethical aspects to its ceremonial ones, and belief in a continuous searc ...

organization based in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Daniel Centers consist of the Beit Daniel synagogue and Kehilat Halev congregation in

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the G ...

and the Mishkenot Ruth Daniel hostel and community center in

Jaffa Jaffa, in Hebrew Yafo ( he, יָפוֹ, ) and in Arabic Yafa ( ar, يَافَا) and also called Japho or Joppa, the southern and oldest part of Tel Aviv-Yafo, is an ancient port city in Israel. Jaffa is known for its association with the b ...

. The Beit Daniel synagogue was established in 1991. The current rabbis are Rabbi Meir Azari and Rabbi Galia Sadan. The Daniel Centers were founded by Gerard and Ruth Daniel, a business family of German birth who had migrated to the United States and established a firm in the aerospace technology business and later a real estate business in Florida. While living in the United States, the Daniels became involved in Reform Jewish causes, with Gerard becoming president of the

World Union for Progressive Judaism The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) is the international umbrella organization for the various branches of Reform, Liberal and Progressive Judaism, as well as the separate Reconstructionist Judaism. The WUPJ is based in 40 countries ...

and Ruth concurrently becoming treasurer of the organization from 1980 to 1988. The family established the Beit Daniel synagogue in 1991, and later the Mishkenot Ruth Daniel in 2007 following Ruth's death. The Beit Daniel synagogue's construction went up against legal opposition, with the family fighting up to the

Supreme Court of Israel The Supreme Court (, ''Beit HaMishpat HaElyon''; ar, المحكمة العليا) is the Supreme court, highest court in Israel. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all other courts, and in some cases original jurisdiction. The Supreme C ...

for the right to build the synagogue. Journalist and former Finance Minister

Yair Lapid Yair Lapid ( he, יָאִיר לַפִּיד, transliterated: , ; born 5 November 1963) is an Israeli politician and former journalist who has been serving as the 14th prime minister of Israel since 1 July 2022. He previously served as the alt ...

, who identifies as

hiloni ''Hiloni'' ( he, חִלּוֹנִי), plural ''hilonim'' ( he, חִלּוֹנִים; "secular"), is a social category in Israel, designating the least religious segment among the Jewish public. The other three subgroups on the scale of Jewis ...

, has written extensively of his frequent attendance and experience at Beit Daniel.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Daniel Centers Reform synagogues in Israel Synagogues in Tel Aviv Jewish organizations established in 1991 1991 establishments in Israel