Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo was one of the founders of the first Reform Congregation in Italy, in the 1990s. Right from an early age he took great pleasure in synagogue life, and as a result, he decided to make it his vocation. Therefore he began the journey from University lecturer in Social History to Rabbi. He thus turned himself into a Theological student, and was admitted to the Rabbinical Programme at Leo Baeck College, where he received semich in July 2012.
In addition to experiencing Leo Baeck College, Rabbi Andrea lived and studied in Boston and Jerusalem, at The Hebrew Union College, and at the Conservative Yeshiva.
Together with his wife Sara, and two children, Dov Daniel and Yair Yisrael he moved to Hove, to take up the position of Rabbi at BHRS in September 2012. His daughter Hila Hadar Chaya was born in Brighton in 2015. “My Rabbinic vision is pretty straightforward: I want bring back those for whom Judaism is no longer a source of inspiration. This is one of the biggest challenges for Rabbis of my generation. Like many of my fellow students, and colleagues, I see myself engaged in a struggle against the destructive forces of fundamentalism and assimilation.
These two forces are alienating from Judaism too many precious minds and sensible hearts. Therefore, we need to find a way to bring them back. And this is one of my goals as a Rabbi.
I believe that Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue is a great place to fulfil my mission. I want to build here a community where every Jew can find fulfilment in being Jewish. A community based on the Jewish value of shalom”