Beth Shalom

Rabbi Ariel Edery

I grew up in Argentina, in a family very involved in Jewish life. My father was a Rabbi, my mother a Jewish educator, and my siblings and I were fully engaged in the Jewish community and Zionist organizations. Upon completing high school, move to Israel, and study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

I lived, studied, and worked In Israel for seven years, obtaining my BA in International Relations, and in General Studies in Humanities. There I met Andrea, my wife. We moved to Mexico, where we lived for the next five years, working as Jewish educators. I taught middle and high school classes, and became involved in my congregation, assuming many roles. This led Andrea and I, and our months-old twins Eyal and Maaian, to Cincinnati, OH to join Rabbinic School, at Hebrew Union College.

Though enjoying serving different congregations throughout the Mid-West as a Student Rabbi, when I obtained the MA and Ordination, our family moved to Spain. There I became the Rabbi of the country’s first and sole Reform congregation, in Barcelona. After three years of great experiences, with challenges, growth, and several goals met, we decided that the family, Jewish, and professional life we wanted is best found with a certain type of congregation, back in the USA.

In 2004, the five of us (additional child, Dylan) settled in Holly Springs, NC, as I became Beth Shalom’s Rabbi. Here we found a congregation which shared our goals; to create a warm community, in which Judaism is explored, learned, lived and enjoyed. Very importantly, we found a congregation which shared our approach and priorities for doing this; with an open mind and welcoming attitude, aware and appreciative of our diverse backgrounds, but focused on our common goals, understanding that a congregation and a community is built and sustained by each of us making personal commitments and becoming personally involved, each in our own ways and according to our abilities. Beth Shalom has a vision, which is also my vision; to live with tradition, education, community, religion, and Mitzvah; to add meaning and purpose to our life; to connect with nature, with people and community, and with God.

I have varied personal interests including: archeology and ancient history, Mediterranean food, nature, science, soccer, world music, and writing. I enjoy being a rabbi because, in addition to all that I already mentioned, it also allows me and encourages me to be permanently engaged with people, of all ages and all styles. Just as now you know a little about me, I look forward to knowing a little about you. I hope you find being involved and a part of our congregation as rewarding as I do.