About
Neal Gold is an adjunct faculty member at Hebrew College and founder of A Tree with Roots, an online platform for Jewish learning. He teaches in the Me'ah program and serves as spiritual leader of Am HaYam—The Cape Cod Havurah. He has previously held leadership roles at Babson College, ARZA, and congregations in New Jersey and Massachusetts.
- Ph.D. (honoris causa), Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (2022)
- MA in Hebrew Literature, Hebrew Union College
- MA in Near Eastern & Judaic Studies, Brandeis University
- B.A. in Philosophy and Religion, Colgate University
His research and teaching focus on Jewish texts, theology, liturgy, Zionism, and interfaith dialogue. He is deeply engaged in adult Jewish education, exploring Tanakh, Talmud, Midrash, and early Hasidic spirituality, while also examining intersections between Jewish life and contemporary global issues.
His recent writings and edited works reflect a strong trend in modern Jewish thought, liturgical development, and ethical living. Topics include redemption in Reform liturgy, Jewish money ethics, food ethics, life cycle rituals, and liberal Zionism. His publications emphasize spiritual wisdom, social justice, and the application of ancient texts to modern life.
- Doctor of Divinity honoris causa, Hebrew Union College (2022)
- JJGI Fellow, Hadar Institute (2022)
Neal Gold has mentored numerous students in educational and rabbinic contexts, though no formal graduate advisees are listed. He has led significant educational initiatives including the Me'ah program, URJ Adult Summer Learning Institute, and NFTY Leadership Summits. He has received no public grant data, but his work is supported through institutional affiliations and publishing. He is a founding board member of the Kavod Tzedakah Collective and sits on the Executive Board of Ruach Hiddush, advocating for religious pluralism in Israel.
He is actively involved in educational and spiritual leadership teams, including the Advisory Committee of the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership at Hebrew College and the President’s Council of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. His initiatives, such as A Tree with Roots, function as modern virtual learning communities grounded in traditional Jewish study.
