Chapter 1
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We congratulate Moshe Zemer on his seventieth birthday through this volume. These essays by friends and colleagues recognize his work in Israel and our joint effort for the Freehof Institute. They deal with halakhic decision making and its ethical implications, as well as the broader realm of rabbinic studies.
Moshe has been one of the pioneer Reform rabbis in Israel in the second generation which sought to actually establish a movement rather than just individual institutions and congregations. Moshe , who emigrated to Israel in 1963, has spent virtually his entire rabbinate in Israel . Born in Los Angeles , a graduate of the University of California, with his rabbinic education at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati , he very early became interested in helping the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel . He is the founder of three of our congregations, first Emet VeAnavah in Ramat Gan , then HaSharon in Kfar Shmaryahu, and finally Kedem Synagogue-Bet Daniel in Tel Aviv . The establishment of each of these congregations encountered the usual difficulties placed in our way by the religious establishment. Obtaining a site, occupancy and building permits, and everything else was difficult. Moshe never gave up and poured energy and devotion into the growth of these congregations; they have flourished and continue to be important for the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel .
These struggles were interrupted by many happier moments especially after he met Ilana, who would become his wife in 1965. Their three children, Hilla, Moriah, and Barak and their four grandchildren have provided much happiness.
Moshe understood that the Reform movement needed not only congregations and a network of institutions such as kindergartens and schools, but also an intellectual foundation appropriate for Israel . He