Meet Our 2006-2008 Shaliach — Itamar Kremer

Itamar Kremer is the new Shaliach for the Conservative Movement in North America. Born in 1977 on Moshav Yogev, which is located in the western Jezreel Valley near Megiddo, Itamar fulfilled his military service in the Givati Infantry Brigade and holds the rank of Captain, serving as a Vice-Company Commander in the military reserves. In 2006, he graduated from the Inter-Disciplinary Center's Faculty of Law with an LLB degree and completed his required legal internship with a leading law firm in Tel Aviv.

A graduate of the ORT High School at Kibbutz Yifat, Itamar was active for a number of years in the Bnei HaMoshavim Zionist youth movement, moving through the ranks from participant to youth counselor to regional coordinator for the Southern Sharon area (2003-2005). He also served as a volunteer mentor for graduates of the Bnei HaMoshavim youth movement during their post-high school/pre-military year of service and taught law to high school students at the Neve Hadassah Youth Village.

While qualified to sit for the Israeli Bar Exam, Itamar has decided to put the start of his legal career on hold and is excited about the opportunity to work as a Shaliach with the Conservative Movement in North America. Although not born or raised in a religious framework, he has had no reservations in committing himself to the values and observances of Conservative Judaism in terms of Shabbat, Kashrut and Hagim and looks forward to enriching his knowledge of, and familiarity with, Jewish texts and traditions.

Upon arriving in New York in the Fall 2006, Itamar, like his predecessors, splits his time between the MERCAZ USA office and the Israel Aliyah Center. He has three major goals for his shlichut: outreach to Conservative Movement synagogues and organizations to provide information about Israel and Masorti Judaism; help for individuals and families who are considering making Aliyah; and involvement with college students and young adults interested in Israel advocacy and educational and volunteer programs in Israel. Itamar works with the United Synagogue's KOACH Program and the Aliyah Committee and is hoping to bring together graduates of the Movement's various post-high school level study programs in Israel as the basis for a North American branch of MAROM Olami.

For more information about our Shaliach and the programs with which he is involved, contact Itamar at 212-533-7800 ext 2021 or shaliach@mercazusa.org.