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.

ElsaJana

Faith and Practice

Mandalas at the Mikveh

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

There is a strong tradition of writing intentions for mikveh immersion. Why not write one’s intention not merely in words, but in the form of a mandala or Shiviti? And so I found myself one winter evening with a circle of women around a table with a single candle, drawing paper, and various drawing and painting implements.

News and Politics

Gilat Shalit is home, and my son is going off to war

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

If you can understand why Gilad’s parents pushed for this swap, you can understand why I don’t want my son to serve in combat. It’s not rational. It’s not about my left wing political opinions or the fact that I am not a native Israeli. It’s because I am a mother. I am simply doing my job.

Faith and Practice

My Daughter’s Period Party

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

My second daughter, Meira, got her period for the first time earlier this year, right before her bat mitzvah. With her older sister, Michal, we had initiated a new family ritual of a “period party” – but this time, things were different.

Faith and Practice

The No Rent Rule: What Happened to Jewish Ethics?

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

When I lived in Jerusalem, I felt that I was in the majority, and oppressing a minority. Living in Galilee, I am even more humbled. I feel that I am in a minority oppressing a majority.

News and Politics

Pity is not Equality

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

I applaud the Orthodox clergy who recently condemned homophobia in their attempt to be compassionate, but is it healthy for families to be part of a community that they know accepts them only out of pity?

Life and Action

One Flotilla Response: Weave Baskets of Peace

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

When everyone is retreating into their separate camps out of fear of the “other,” I feel a special need to be in a space of solidarity. All I want to do is weave baskets with these Arab women.

News and Politics

Why Israelis Should Not (Legally) Marry

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

In Israel, all Jewish marriages must go through the Israeli Rabbinate. But what if you want a non-Orthodox wedding?

Life and Action

Sweet Silence

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

In a society that values “doing” above all else, pushing us to “accomplish” and “succeed,” experiencing silence allows for simply “being” present in the moment and open to what may arise as a result.

Faith and Practice

Why We Need Rabba, Not Maharat, Sara Hurwitz

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

The biggest fear of male rabbis who refuse to share their authority with women like Sara Hurwitz is that they’ll cause the breakdown of the status quo. I hope they are correct.

Life and Action

Kibbutz Locavore: Eating Local and Organic in Israel

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

New to Kibbutz Hannaton in the Lower Galilee, I looked forward to buying mostly organic, locally grown and produced food. Finding it was harder than I thought.