Reuben Modek

Rabbi Modek Ceremonies In Israel

Apply for a Blog

Apr 9, 2025, 5:47 AM

The Fresh Start Spiritual Imperative and Passover

Last month, we celebrated Purim, whose essence is encapsulated in the verse from the Book of Esther: "The enemies of the Jews had hoped to dominate them, but it all turned around, נהפוך הוא, and the Jews ended up...

Mar 2, 2025, 6:39 PM

The Joy Dissonance of Adar 2025

In Tractate Ta’anit, it is stated: "Just as during the month of Av we decrease in joy, so too, during the month of Adar we increase in joy." Indeed, the sages instruct us to encourage and amplify joy not...

Feb 14, 2025, 6:04 PM

Unity Above All, The Israeli Challenge

One of the greatest challenges in Israel these days, besides the grief for the many casualties, and the anguish over the fate of the hostages, is the fragility of our unity. This fragility began before October 7th, as we...

Dec 20, 2024, 12:02 AM

Palestine and The Elephant in The Room

Have you ever noticed that when we, Westerners, discuss the motivations behind the Israeli Palestinian conflict, there seems to be an Elephant in The Room, an awareness that hovers in the space but all pretend doesn’t exist? The elephant...

Aug 13, 2024, 1:23 AM

The Best Prophetic Jew

When the late Rabbi Zalman Schachter Shalomi (aka Reb Zalman) of Boulder CO, was asked to comment on the role of the Jewish people amongst the nations he would often respond by suggesting the “Organismic Model”. Just like each...

Jun 17, 2024, 9:36 PM

Former Jewish lefty on Gaza

More likely than not, the vast majority of Jews across the political spectrum, from left to right, want the war in Israel to end, the hostages returned, our Jewish state to be safe, and all inhabitants of the land...

May 13, 2024, 10:31 PM

A Siren to Fallen Leaves – Yom HaZikaron Poem

At 11 a.m., a siren sounds throughout the land calling for a moment of silent standing in memory and honor of the fallen soldiers. The country goes still. Cars stop on the highways, people exit, motionless. I too rose in...

Apr 5, 2024, 12:26 PM

The Gaza Death Chamber, a Centrist’s Take

The Gaza war, now six months in, has been exacting a horrible price from us, Israelis, as well as from the Arab Palestinian population in Gaza. Those of us with a heightened conscience and sensitivity have been watching the...

Load more

About Me

Rabbi Modek is the spiritual leader of Kehilat Kodesh Bet Israel in Netanya Israel. Ordained by both AJR, NY and Aleph, Alliance For Jewish Renewal, Philadelphia, Rabbi Modek is the former executive director of Hebrew Learning Circles, NY. A native Israeli, and graduate of Haifa University School of Social Work, Rabbi Modek blogs about Jewish spirituality, ethics, Israeli society, wellness, and Jewish relevance for the 21st Century. Click the link for more about Rabbi Modek https://ceremonies.pro/about-rabbi-modek/

Contact Me