We welcome two musical scholars-in-residence this Shabbat.

We welcome back Rabbi Gabby Dagan of Ohel Avraham synagogue at the Leo Baeck Education Center for a shabbaton of music and learning. Educated in the Orthodox track of the Israeli education system and in a B’nei Akiva Yeshivah, following his army service as a Religious Affairs Officer, Rabbi Dagan left Orthodoxy and enrolled in secular academic studies at Haifa University, completing a B.A. in Sociology, Anthropology and Politics and an M.A. in Jewish History. Ordained from HUC-JIR in Jerusalem, he founded Ma’arag, an association that seeks to promote multiculturalism in Israeli society. 

Songleader / Cantorial Soloist at The Daniel Centers for Reform Judaism in Tel Aviv, Shimon Smith also serves as head of music for the Israel Movement for Reform Judaism's young adults, songleader for Jewish Agency Summer Camp Shaliach (Emissary) program, host of “The Best in Israeli Rock” on Jewish Rock Radio, and the Hebrew voice of Scar in The Lion King. A top-notch musician who’s high-energy and bass voice deeply touch the soul, his creativity, charisma, love of Judaism and Israel are powerfully expressed in his music for all ages!