History was made on October 15, 2012 when The Barkai Center for Practical Rabbinics opened its doors.

For the first time ever, Israeli rabbis are going pro – specifically, a select group is undergoing training to become professional communal rabbis and permanently change the way Israeli communities work.

Barkai’s first cohort of nineteen rabbinical couples enjoyed the opening day of studies, in which they met each other, got their schedules and had their first classes, all at Congregation Sha’arei Yonah Menachem in Modi’in.

This was followed by an opening event for Friends of Barkai that was attended by the President of Barkai Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Knesset Member Zevulun Orlev, the Deputy Mayor of Modi’in and the Chief Rabbis of Modi’in. Barkai Founder Rabbi David Fine was the MC of the evening and Founder Rabbi Shlomo Sobol greeted the audience, after which they heard from the distinguished guests.

Rabbi Lau shared his experiences as a young rabbi and emphasized the need for mentoring. He explained how much he learned as a young rabbi by assisting his father-in-law, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv Yitchak Frankel, before taking on a congregation of his own. link to video

After the speeches, the audience was treated to improvisational theater, in which a theater troupe took suggestions from the audience on problems that might be encountered in the rabbinate and turned them into dramatic situations. “It was really food for thought,” commented new Barkai student Rabbi Tal Marom. “I’m now looking forward to my studies at Barkai even more!”