Haim Shalom
Rabbi, Jewish Educator
Jerusalem
Summary
A Jewish educator with a clear vision for the place of Israel and Gap Year Programs in the wider Jewish Educational World. I am committed to a deeply rooted, egalitarian understanding of Jewish life that centers communal responsibility and individual spiritual growth. I firmly believe in the importance of Israel as a living, breathing laboratory of organic Jewish life and as the center of the Jewish people's shared destiny.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Israel Studies
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
09.2023 - Current
- As well as overall responsibility for shaping the Israel Studies curriculum of Pardes, and delivering overnight seminars, tiyulim, shabbatonim and teaching courses and classes, my work has expanded into other roles at Pardes, including coordinating our Pre-Rabbinic Forum, our program integrating Young Judaea students and our program for Hebrew College Rabbinical Students. I am also the Faculty fellow for the Social Action Fellowship and coordinate our Community Engagement (Volunteering) program.
Freelance Jewish Educator
Independent
01.2002 - Current
- Since making Aliyah, I have taught for many short and long term programs in Israel and around the Jewish world, including Limmud, the Jewish Agency, and many MASA programs in Israel.
Rabbi and Executive Director
Kehillat Mevakshei Derech
01.2018 - 12.2023
- Served as the sole rabbi and executive director for the synagogue.
- Directly managed the small congregational staff and held responsibility for the much larger staff of the Pre-school.
- Expanded the pre-school from 3 classes to 7, from 40 families to 120.
- Oversaw a growth in the organizational budget from roughly 2 million NIS to close to 16 million NIS through the COVID 19 pandemic.
- Shepherded the community through the first months after October 7.
Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions
HUC-JIR
07.2014 - 12.2017
- Recruitment of students and management of local admissions for programs offered by the college, including teaching in a number of frameworks where potential students may be found.
- Shaped recruitment and outreach policy, in particular for long term programs in Israel.
- Also served as Rabbi of the Campus Synagogue.
Rabbi
Menorah Synagogue (Cheshire Reform Congregation)
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Solo Interim Rabbi for a large and successful suburban congregation of 400+ families, including all facets of pulpit rabbinical work, without a professional congregational director but with the support of an incredibly committed lay leadership.
- Increased membership and enrollment in all parts of our educational programming during my time.
Rosh Beit Midrash
IMPJ - The Israeli Reform Movement
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Rabbinic educator for a Beit Midrash program bringing together Kibbutznikim from the North Western Negev and students from Sderot.
Director of Education
WUPJ, Netzer Olami and the Shnat Netzer Gap Year Program
01.2002 - 01.2011
- Educational planning of Netzer's year-long program, including co-ordination of the various sections of the program, creating curricula, hiring teachers, and teaching on the program.
- Leading all elements of the education work of Netzer Olami and the youth department of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, including conference planning, curriculum writing, leading missions to Israel and teaching in various frameworks around the world.
Education
Certified tour guide -
06-2025
MA - Jewish Education
09-2015
Rabbinical Ordination -
10-2010
Awarded the Michael Klein memorial prize for outstanding student in the area of Talmud Torah.
Diploma - Pluralistic Jewish Education
10-2010
MA - Middle Eastern Studies
09-2002
- Awarded the Arts and Humanities Research Board scholarship of tuition fees and full living allowance.
- Graduated with Distinction (summa cum laude).
BA - Jewish History
06-2001
- Graduated with 1st Class Honors (summa cum laude).
- Awarded the Hester Rothschild grant for the leading student of the Department.
Skills
Teaching
Guiding and Educating
Community Building
Team Management
Student Recruitment
Problem-solving
Additional Information
IDF regular service: 2004
IDF Reserve duty: 2004 - 2016.
Rabbinic Affiliations:
MaRaM: Israeli Reform Rabbinical Council
CCAR: Central Conference of American Rabbis
RRA: Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Beit Kaplan: The Rabbinic Partnership for Jewish Peoplehood
Timeline
Director of Israel Studies - Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
09.2023 - Current
Rabbi and Executive Director - Kehillat Mevakshei Derech
01.2018 - 12.2023
Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions - HUC-JIR
07.2014 - 12.2017
Rabbi - Menorah Synagogue (Cheshire Reform Congregation)
01.2012 - 01.2014
Rosh Beit Midrash - IMPJ - The Israeli Reform Movement
01.2010 - 01.2011
Freelance Jewish Educator - Independent
01.2002 - Current
Director of Education - WUPJ, Netzer Olami and the Shnat Netzer Gap Year Program
01.2002 - 01.2011
Israeli Ministry of Tourism - Certified tour guide,
Hebrew University of Jerusalem - MA, Jewish Education
Israeli Rabbinical Program, HUC-JIR - Rabbinical Ordination,
HUC-JIR, Jerusalem - Diploma, Pluralistic Jewish Education
SOAS, University of London - MA, Middle Eastern Studies
University College - BA, Jewish History