Special guest, scholar-in-residence for the weekend Rabbi Galit Cohen-Kedem will lead this Lunch & Learn. She will discuss the important topic of "Israel: Is change really possible?" with a further discussion of the Holon case - an experience of liberal and progressive reform Jewish community growth and challenges in Holon, Israel.

Rabbi Galit Cohen Kedem is the founder and Rabbi of Congregation Kodesh V’Chol [Holy & ordinary] in Holon, Israel. For the past twelve years, this congregation has grown from 5 individuals in a living room to a community of more than 150 families. Galit holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hebrew Literature & Hebrew Language from the Hebrew University and a Master of Arts in Gender Studies from Bar Ilan University. She was ordained in 2014 at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem.  Galit is married to Dr. Adar Cohen, PhD, chair of The Teacher Education Department at the Seymour Fox School of Education at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Together they have three children: Hodaya, Uri & Ivri.  Rabbi Galit currently serves as a visiting Rabbi educator at Congregation B’nai Israel in Sacramento CA.