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.  

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About Rabbi Ayala Ronen Samuels 

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.