Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

Rabbi Dr. Haviva Ner-David is a rabbi, teacher, and writer living on Kibbutz Hannaton in the Lower Galilee in Israel. She is the author of Life on the Fringes: A Feminist Journey Towards Traditional Rabbinic Ordination and the forthcoming Giving Chanah Voice: A Feminist Rabbi Reclaims the Women's Mitzvoth of Baking, Bathing, and Brightening. She is the founding director of Reut: The Center for Modern Jewish Marriage, as well as the Hannaton Mikveh Ritual and Educational Center.

Life and Action

Under the Same Moon

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

It’s difficult for parents to let a 16 year old daughter leave home. It helps to know she still walks under the same moon.

Life and Action

Kibbutz Puppy

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

After leaving Jerusalem for the countryside, Ner-David’s kids finally get their dog–and their mom learns that we humans truly are not alone on earth.

Faith and Practice

Tefillah at the Kotel

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

On Rosh Hodesh Tevet I returned again to the Kotel, where I had worshipped with Women of the Wall for fifteen years. And again, I found myself spat on by haredi men.

Life and Action

View from Galilee: Why a Woman of the Wall Joined a Kibbutz

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

I am a rabbi. My smicha is from an Orthodox rabbi in Jerusalem. I am also a member of Women of the Wall, and on the board of Rabbis for Human Rights. So why did I decide, last year, to pick up my family, leave Jerusalem, and move to a kibbutz?