Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch

Senior Rabbi

Rabbi Hirsch combines scholarship, a passion for social justice, a deep sense of spirit and a love of Israel.

Senior Rabbi of SWFS since 2004, Rabbi Hirsch is well known in the international Reform community for his enlightened work as executive director of ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America) where he served for twelve years. An outspoken advocate for religious pluralism in Israel and for the development of Progressive Judaism around the world, Rabbi Hirsch is co–author of One People, Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and An Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues that Divide Them (Schocken Books, 2002). He served as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Shaaray Tefila, NYC, for three years, returning annually to conduct High Holiday Services during his tenure at ARZA.

Ordained at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Hirsch received a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Literature. He has been a teacher of Judaism and Reform Judaism as a member of the faculty of HUC–JIR. Rabbi Hirsch, who lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter, is also an attorney, having earned his law degree from the London School of Economics.

Rabbi Hirsch has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Zionist General Council, the World Zionist Organization and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He also served on the boards of the Jewish National Fund, the American Zionist Movement, the World Union for Progressive Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch