I was born and raised in Netanya, a beautiful Mediterranean city, not far from Tel Aviv. I have much affection to this city. In my youth I was active in various youth movements. I graduated "Moshe Sharet" Municipal High School in history and theater faculties. In 1993 I enlisted to the IDF armored corps, and served as a tank commander in the armored corps school in the south of Israel. Part of the time I was posted in the instruction division, where I organized and assimilated instruction programs. For that part of my military service I have received an outstanding soldier award from Israeli president at the time, Ezer Weizmann.

During the third year of my military service Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. As many at that time, I felt as though things can not remain as they were. I thought that at the basis of the split of public opinion exists great ignorance. I felt anger and frustration. It was a turning point in my Jewish Identity. I began studying Gemara with a religious friend. When finishing my military service I went to Wisconsin in the US to instruct in the OSRUI Jewish youth summer camp. It was a life changing experience. I have encountered the progressive Judaism that shortly will become the center of my life.

I returned to Israel and worked in non-formal education field. I have organized the youth society of a kibbutz in Beit She'an valley; later on I organized the local branch of Beni Hamoshavim, a section of the Working Youth movement in Emek Chefer. One summer I served as guide in a young instructors' course. That was a very powerful experience. Working with youths is very rewarding. During that period I started studying towards my bachelor's degree in Tel Aviv University. I studied general history and classic studies,  memorizing tens of Latin verbs (which I scarcely remember). In a Latin poetry seminar I met Sharon, who will eventually become my wife.

In 1998 a student fight broke, regarding the high extent of tuition fees .As a student I saw it as a matter of social justice, since it directly affects the accessibility to higher education. I joined as an activist, demonstrated, made noise and protested. At the climax I participated in a hunger strike in front of the house of prime minister at the time, Binyamin Netanyahu. During the hunger strike we received aid from the "Beit Shmuel" center for progressive Judaism; none of the student leaders knew the reason for this. It was found out that a young man named Gilad Kariv (today rabbi attorney, associate director of the Center for Jewish Pluralism), was the reason. I met with Gilad in the "Terra Sancta" building in Jerusalem; he had offered me to coordinate the Young Adult Leadership Forum of the Progressive Judaism Movement in Tel Aviv. Shortly there after I began working in "Beit Daniel", the Center for Progressive Judaism in Tel Aviv.

We were a pro-active and rebellious student cell, a group of young idealists and devoted prayers in the "Beit Daniel" congregation.

When I finished my duty as coordinator of the Forum Sharon replaced me in office. That summer we got married. A civil wedding in Greece and a reform wedding in Jaffa, Gilad Kariv and Rabbi Meir Azari held the wedding ceremony (hupa). I was accepted to the Israeli rabbinical study program and began my next function in "Beit Daniel" as assistant to Rabbi Meir Azari. I have learned from him more than I could describe in words. Thanks to his benevolence I got to experience all of the various activities "Beit Daniel" has to offer: prayers and course of life ceremonies, Judaism classes to diverse target publics, social and ideological activities, volunteer organization, community work, youth and children activities and much more. During my years at "Beit Daniel" my eldest, Kfir Dan, was born. I was at the time a rabbinical student in the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem.

Our rabbinical program is unique in a way that it combines different skills that are required for a rabbi's function. In addition to a plenteous share of Bible, Rabbinic writings and Jewish culture, one needs to practice and acquire abilities in spiritual guidance, consultation, education and non-profit organization management. I can honestly testify that I have had the honor of learning  from great teachers and I feel blessed to have had that opportunity. At the same time I studied for my master's degree in interdisciplinary study course in the Bar Ilan University.

As part of the practical work that is required of students I worked in the "Har Halutz" congregation. That is at Gush Segev in the Galilee. We used go there often on Shabbats, holidays and as needed otherwise. That was an extremely interesting experience, completely different than the urban Tel Aviv-ian congregation of "Beit Daniel". I carry fond memories of the beautiful prayers, of hospitality from the congregation members towards us, and of special communal moments.

I was ordained on Heshvan, 5765,October 2004.

The Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa offered me to found the "Carmel" Progressive Be'it Midrash, in connection with the Lokey Academy of Jewish Studies. We dreamt of a leadership program for young reform Jews that will combine academic seminary, Tikun Olam  and social activity, getting to know Israeli society and intense progressive Jewish community life. On September 2004 we inaugurated the first class.. I am very proud of this work. I have learned greatly about setting to motion and management of educational operations. The main lesson is the tight connection between the stories and the story-tellers, meaning the way a vision translates into a work program backed-up by budgets, schedules and task distribution. The Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa specializes in this field- the fulfillment of educational visions.

In the photo- Launching Ceremony of the Carmel Program.

During my first year in Leo Baeck I also began teaching high school. I taught the tenth grade and I prepared pupils in the eleventh grade for one unit in the matriculation exams. At the end of that year I was offered to correspondingly serve as director of Jewish studies. During that year my second son, Nimrod Hillel was born. As coordinator of Jewish studies in Leo Baeck I was trusted with the formal scholastic program for the tenth to twelfth grades: the entire tenth grade (8 classes) took the matriculations exam of one study unit, the eleventh and twelfth grades (about 25 pupils in each grade) took their exams of two study units. The duty included heading the teachers' staff, communication with the Ministry of Education in all supervision and proffessional matters, Jewish enrichment activities and of course responsibility over the scores of the Leo Baeck Education Center in the Bagrut exam in Judaism.

In November 2006 I participated in production of the 50 years anniversary event in memorial of Dr. Leo Baeck. In collaboration with the Avihai fund we organized a week of memorial events, studies and activities. I was privileged to edit and publish a book with respect to the event: "From Vision to Reality: Judaism, Studies and Leadership in the Leo Baeck Education Center". The book included articles and reviews about Dr. Leo Baeck, the Leo Baeck Organization and matters of reform Zionism and current education.

For a year and a half I was working as executive director for the "Sulha Peace Project" movement. This is a public grassroots movement that  promotes peace between the children of Abraham in the holy land. In August 2007 and again in Augost 2008 we held a large peace conferences with over 4000 participants each. That includined  Palestinians from the West Bank, guests from Jordan, Israeli Jews and Arabs, the personal representative of the Dalai Lama and many more distinguished guests and known artists (Sheik El Aqsa, Rabbi Malchior, David Broza, Mush Ben-Ari, Tamar Nafer and more). We also held youth activities, workshops and interfaith reconciliation meetings through out the year.

This work was very much demanding and complex. I did it lovingly. It is a dreamers' project- humble facilities and much good will. Wherever we reached we encountered much hope and support. There are many good people, Jews and Arabs, who are concerned over the current situation and feel compelled to act for change. I invite you to visit the Sulha site: www.sulha.com and have your own impression.

Blessings of Peace,

Saar

In the photo below- My Family: Sharon, Kfir, Nimrod, Reshef and Myself.