Meet Rabbi Hanniel
(pronounced Honey-EL)
I'm an artist, designer, surfer, and rabbi — and I believe that life’s most sacred moments deserve to be celebrated with creativity, meaning, and heart.
My approach to spirituality is holistic and accessible. I draw from the practices that bring meaning into my life — meditation, yoga, chanting, surfing, sacred art, study, and service — to create ceremonies that feel alive, joyful, and deeply personal for people of all backgrounds and traditions.
To me, the world is a sanctuary, and every ceremony is a chance to connect more fully to ourselves, to each other, and to the beauty of the world around us.
Born in Haifa and raised in New York City, I earned a B.A. in Religion and Art from New York University, a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from Bard College, and Rabbinic Ordination from The Academy for Jewish Religion.
As a multimedia artist, I find inspiration in mystical texts, the world’s wisdom traditions, and the colors of the natural world. (I love all colors — even when they clash! — because, like people, they always find a way to coexist beautifully.)
For me, this is the heart of spiritual leadership: creating space where everyone feels seen, welcomed, and part of the conversation.
And that's the kind of ceremony I would be honored to create with you.