ALEPH CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Award winning broadcaster and Spiritual Director Ralph Benmergui becomes the new
Executive Director of ALEPH Canada, the centre for the Jewish Renewal movement in
Canada.
Focusing on spiritual innovation that brings joy ,heart, mindfulness and a deep commitment to
interfaith wisdom sharing to the Jewish conversation Benmergui, born in Morocco and raised in
Canada, is excited about building on the base of outgoing Executive Director, Rabbi Sherril
Gilbert.
“Renewal is about a spiritual path. All are welcome. From eco-kosher to God optional and earth
based judaism there is a hunger for a new way forward, one that is deeply inclusive, Renewal is
inclusive. It can be for those that have opted out of organized religion, LGBTQ+S2, as well as
those who are deeply connected to Jewish life, and are seeking a more spiritual approach.
”
Ralph Benmergui
Ralph Benmergu has facilitated workshops on aging to sage-ing, counsels individuals and
groups and has worked with Synagogues and Churches to find a renewed way forward as more
and more people yearn for meaning that can’t be found in the pursuit of material life. As Ralph
likes to say,
”No one ever saw a U-haul being carried behind a hearse” “Renewal is for those
that want to experience their Judaism, not just go through the motions. From elders to a new
generation that cares about earth based Judaism, to the embodied practice of mindfulness and
the ability to do the work of repairing their soul and repairing the world, I believe that renewal is
the spiritual sandbox that we can all play in and contribute to in these challenging times.
”
There are Renewal Rabbis and service leaders across this great country. From Rabbi Daniel
Siegel on Hornby Island to Or Shalom in Vancouver and Rabbi Arik Labowitz, the work of
Rabbi Jeremy Parnes in Regina, Rabbi Sherril Gilbert in Montreal, newly ordained Rabbi Aaron
Rotenberg in Toronto and Rabbi Shalom Schachter, son of the founder of the renewal
movement Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.
“ I want ALEPH Canada to be a progressive spiritual thought leader for Canadians. What we
are not is a political organization. In the coming days we are planning new workshops,webinars
and retreats. I’m moving my podcast,
“Not That Kind of Rabbi” from the Canadian Jewish
News to ALEPH. The ALEPH Ordination Program, AOP, provides a recognized pathway for
those who feel called to become Rabbis, Cantors, Rabbinic Pastors and Spiritual Directors; we
can help them achieve that goal with our new scholarship program.
”
For Interview requests contact Ralph at ralphbenmergui.ca, ralphbenmergui@gmail.com , or
416-433-6519