Our People
The Sia’h Shalom Founders
Prof. Avinoam Rosenak
Welcome to Sia'h Shalom! I’m Avinoam Rosenak, professor of Jewish Thought and Jewish Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. My inspiration for Siach Shalom stems from the concept of 'unity of opposites' which I discovered in the writings of Rabbi Kook and the Maharal of Prague. This important idea in Jewish thought encourages a perspective that embraces and reconciles contradictions. I first encountered this concept during my doctoral research, which led me to explore new dimensions beyond the liberal-Western discourse I was familiar with. I developed these ideas further through my engagement with the facilitation techniques introduced by Sharon Leshem-Zinger. 'Unity of opposites' transcends traditional notions of tolerance, pluralism, and diversity. It involves embracing contradictions and requires deep listening to a range of identities. This concept asserts that every aspect of the world holds a purpose, place, and role within the greater balance of peace. This vision has profoundly impacted many areas of my life.Avinoam Rosenak is a professor in the Department of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University, where he also served as department chair. He is the head of the Jewish Education Philosophy Cluster at the Melton Centre for Jewish Education, Seymour Fox School of Education, Hebrew University. He holds the Mandel Chair in Jewish Education and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. Avinoam is a distinguished scholar in modern Jewish thought, exploring the intersections between theology and politics, the philosophy of halakha, and Jewish education philosophy. Prior to his current positions, he worked at the Israeli Democracy Institute, where he co- managed the Jewish Thought and Human Rights program. Avinoam has authored six books, edited ten, and published over one hundred articles. He resides in Jerusalem with his wife, Bitya (an artist), and they have four children and grandchildren.
Sharon Leshem Zinger
Welcome! For me, facilitation focused on peace is like a prayer, a birth, and a wellspring in the desert. Prayer. When I facilitate, I believe that by creating space in our hearts for one another, we invite a higher presence to guide us. Birth. Peace manifests through a process similar to childbirth. Just as a pregnant woman must nurture both herself and the new life within her, we must preserve and cultivate our own identities while supporting the growth of others. A Well in the Desert. When I facilitate, I’m not trying to negotiate or close a deal. I’m searching for water in the desert, and, like finding water in the desert, the only way for peace to emerge is to dig deep. In Israel, this work is especially challenging. Our society is polarized, and our hearts are scarred from years of conflict. Yet, it is precisely here, in the eye of the storm, that peace can be found.Sharon Leshem-Zinger is a leading facilitator in Israel with over thirty years of experience working with conflict groups, including both Israeli and Palestinian communities. Her unique approach to facilitation integrates elements of psychodrama, Jewish spirituality, and group dynamics. Sharon has authored and published numerous articles and has received awards for her groundbreaking work in the field. She established and managed the training school for facilitators at the 'Voices in the Negev' association at Sapir Academic College and taught for a decade in the Department of Conflict Resolution and Management at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Be'er Sheva. Sharon is a member of Kibbutz Urim in the Western Negev. She is married to Hagai, and they have two daughters.
Dr. Alick Isaacs
Welcome to Sia'h Shalom! I’m Alick, originally from Scotland, and I’ve been living in Jerusalem for over thirty years. Alongside my colleagues, I’ve been exploring the meaning of peace for over a decade. One key insight I’ve gained is that the English word 'Peace' and the Hebrew word 'שלום' (Shalom) have distinct connotations. While 'Peace' originates from the Latin 'Pax' signifying an agreement or deal, 'Shalom' — like the Arabic 'سلام' (Salam) — derives from the word 'Shalem' meaning wholeness or unity. While political arrangements are essential components of peace, they do not fully encompass its meaning. True peace requires that every voice be heard and no person be excluded from the dialogue. To cultivate this type of peace, we must embrace a life-affirming approach and believe in the transformative power of genuine listening.Dr. Alick Isaacs, born in Scotland and raised in England, immigrated to Israel in 1986. He is a lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and previously taught at Haifa and Bar-Ilan Universities. He has served as a researcher and program director at the Shalom Hartman Institute and is a graduate of the Mandel Fellowship program. Alick has authored books and articles on religion, peace, and conflict resolution, focusing on the philosophical and theological disparities between Western and Jewish thought. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Shuli, and they have five children and grandchildren.
Our Team
Rabbi Yitzchak (Isadore) Rubenstein
Rabbi Rubinstein made Aliyah to Israel in 2002 after a long career as a community rabbi and educator in South Africa for many years. Yitzhak served as the director of the Jewish Education Council in South Africa, overseeing eight Jewish schools in Johannesburg. He brings his wealth of experience to his role as Administrative Director at Sia'h Shalom.
Rabbis Meir and Tara Feldman
Rabbis Meir and Talia Feldman lead the Friends of Sia'h Shalom project, which aims to strengthen the connection between Sia'h Shalom and the North American Jewish community. They facilitate Sia'h Shalom Circles that bring together diverse groups of Jews, including lay leaders and rabbis, creating spaces for dialogue and spiritual growth amidst the increasingly polarized North American Jewish landscape. Prior to their current roles, Meir and Talia Feldman served as the rabbis of Congregation Beth El in Great Neck, Long Island.
Advisory Board
Huda Abuarquob
Huda is the Regional Director of ALLMEP (Alliance for Middle East Peace), a network of over a hundred civil society organizations dedicated to promoting coexistence and peace in the Middle East. She has years of experience in conflict transformation, NGO leadership, and social change education and activism, as well as a life-long commitment to building strong people-to-people relations across conflicts.
Jonny Ariel
Johnny is a seasoned educator, researcher, designer, and implementer of experiential education projects with over four decades of experience. He previously served as a lecturer at the Melton Centre for Jewish Education at the Hebrew University.
Sarah Eliash
Sarah is a senior educator, former high school principal, and political activist. She resides in the settlement of Kedumim and is a prominent leader in the religious-Zionist community.
Rabbi Re’em Hakohen
Rabbi Cohen serves as the Head of the Otniel Yeshiva and as the Rabbi of the Otniel settlement. He has authored numerous works on Jewish thought and halachic literature and is a leading figure in the religious-Zionist community.
Dr. Ezra Kopelowitz
Ezra is a sociologist specializing in education and Jewish identity, and is a member of Kibbutz Hanaton. He serves as the CEO of Technologies for Success Research, a company dedicated to research and evaluation for Jewish organizations worldwide.
Prof. Shifra Sagy
Shifra is Professor Emerita of Psychology in the Department of Education at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the founding director of the interdisciplinary master’s program in Conflict Management and Resolution. She currently leads the Martin Springer Center for Conflict Studies.
Contact: Dr Alick Isaacs
+972-509-761-168
Sia'h Shalom - Talking Peace
Mishkenot Shaananim
Yaakov Steinhardt 3
Yemin Moshe
Jerusalem
PO Box 8215
Jerusalem
9108102