Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz is a rare combination of visionary thinker and hands-on innovator. As the Founder and CEO of Hashgacha Pratit and the Chuppot initiative, Rabbi Leibowitz has invested years addressing Israel’s religion-state relations.

His pioneering work with Hashgacha Pratit broke the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly on kashrut services in 2018, and immediately thereafter, he shifted his focus to the conversation surrounding marriage, remaining consistent in his mission to offer alternatives to the Chief Rabbinate’s religious services.

Rabbi Leibowitz is deeply rooted in community. He served until recently as the rabbi of Va’ani Tefillah in Nachlaot, Jerusalem, where he and his wife, Miriam, remain beloved members of the neighborhood. Together, they raised five children and now delight in their growing family of grandchildren. A distinguished scholar, Rabbi Leibowitz received Rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and Rabbi Chaim Brovender and previously led the Sulam Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary.

At the heart of his work is a deep and unwavering commitment to  proving that Halacha can and must be upheld with dignity, inclusion and respect. In a landscape often defined by rigidity, Rabbi Leibowitz has positioned Chuppot as the Orthodox voice for religious freedom in Israel – not by compromising on tradition, but rather by expanding the space in which it can thrive.

And in a surprising twist, Rabbi Leibowitz is also an avid science fiction reader. Perhaps this explains his unique ability to examine reality, witness its brokenness, and envision a viable path to renewal. 

Rabbi Chuck Davidson has devoted his career to expanding access to religious services, ensuring that every Israeli Jew has the right to live, convert, and marry in accordance with Halacha… without coercion. A pioneer in religious freedom, Rabbi Davidson played a critical role in establishing the first major independent Orthodox conversion court outside the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, demonstrating that Halacha can thrive beyond institutional control.

Recognizing the urgent need for Orthodox alternatives to state-controlled religious services, Rabbi Davidson began officiating private halachic weddings as early as 2015. This commitment to facilitating choice within Orthodoxy led him to co-found Chuppot, where he continues to shape our mission. As the Director of our Halacha Department, Rabbi Davidson ensures that every wedding is conducted within the parameters of Jewish law.

Originally from the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Rabbi Davidson made aliyah with his wife, Shirah, in the 1990s. Together, they built a family deeply connected to Torah, raising six children and now welcoming grandchildren as well. Although he holds a BA in Jewish Studies and an MBA from the University of Maryland, it is Torah study that has always been his greatest passion.

Officiating up to six weddings weekly during peak season, he remains deeply committed to ensuring that each ceremony is not only halachically sound but also personal, meaningful, and congruent with the couples’ values. Rabbi Davidson’s ability to engage with people from all backgrounds, guiding them with wisdom, warmth, inclusiveness, and sensitivity, has made him a trusted and beloved figure in the lives of countless couples.

Etti is our Client Relations Manager, accompanying every Chuppot couple from the very first moment through their wedding day. What she enjoys most is the human connection – getting to know the couples, understanding their dynamics, and really listening to the story they bring with them.

Etti lives in Jerusalem with her partner, Daniel. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Biology, with experience in guidance and support for both adults and youth in a variety of settings, including the field of mental health. She joined Chuppot while looking for a role that combines meaningful human interaction with social impact… and, having already been familiar with the organization and its work, was happy to join the mission.

In her free time, Etti loves to dance, sing, and perform in musical theater. She even brought those passions into her own wedding in a particularly memorable moment, when she and Daniel tore up the dance floor to Grease’s “You’re the One That I Want.”

The part of weddings that moves her most, and often brings Etti to tears, is the veiling ceremony, when the bustling reception quiets, the tension melts away, and everyone present is given a glimpse into a moment that belongs only to the couple.

Racheli is a dynamic force in the realm of religion and state issues, combining expertise with passion. As Chuppot’s Marketing and Outreach Director, she ensures Chuppot’s message reaches every corner of Israel, utilizing social media, lectures, education, event production and even creative merch.

With a career rooted in storytelling, Racheli believes in the transformative impact of language. Her extensive experience in writing and digital marketing has honed her ability to craft narratives that drive  change. A strong advocate for religious pluralism, her career has spanned from religion and state issues to feminism and liberal Orthodoxy.

Racheli holds a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Humanities and Philosophy & Jewish Thought from Shalem College. Before joining Chuppot, Racheli was a content marketer at HaMatchena, an independent content creator and social media manager for small businesses, and supported the marketing department of ITIM, an organization advancing religious pluralism in Israel. She also managed executive content for the intelligence unit in the army and volunteered as a Communications Advisor for Mavoi Satum, advocating for the rights of agunot. Racheli’s personal journey with Chuppot began when she and her partner, Mati, wed through Chuppot – an experience that inspired her to become dedicated to Chuppot’s mission.

Her enthusiasm for the work is contagious, and her unwavering commitment to pluralism and inclusivity drives everything she does.

As Chuppot’s Resource Development Manager, Hilary translates the on-the-ground work into compelling narratives about religious pluralism in Israel. With a talent for storytelling and a strategic approach, she ensures that donors, partners, and supporters understand not just what Chuppot does, but why it matters.

Hilary brings over 15 years of experience in content marketing and corporate communications, with a career spent writing for high-tech giants like Google, Intel, and HP, as well as for third sector organizations including Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Library, Gesher, and KKL-JNF. 

Hilary earned her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, triple-majoring in International Relations, Political Science, and History, and also studied Group Dynamics and Facilitation at NYU, earning a certification in the field. Originally from Milwaukee, Hilary has lived in Israel for nearly 20 years and lives with her husband and four children in the Jerusalem mountains. She joined Chuppot after proactively searching for an organization that truly embodied the change she wanted to witness  in Israel – one with bold vision, strong leadership, proof of concept and tangible impact. Hilary particularly values that Chuppot’s team reflects its mission: a diverse group united by a shared vision of an inclusive, pluralistic Israel. 

With a rare ability to translate complex data and metrics into compelling stories that illustrate the challenge and propose the vision and solution, Hilary ensures Chuppot’s message reaches those who can help propel its mission forward.

As Office Manager, Tehila ensures that everything at Chuppot runs smoothly and by the book. She is often Chuppot’s first point of contact with couples, parents, and curious parties, always answering calls with warmth and a smile, and brings a sharp eye for detail alongside a natural talent for organization.

Her true superpower is problem-solving: making sure every piece falls into place, even when it’s a stubborn, wandering receipt.

Tehila’s professional path reflects a wide range of interests and skills. With studies spanning fashion design, pastry arts, and even app development, Tehila ultimately found her way back to what suits her best: the structured, behind-the-scenes world of office operations, where order, precision, and reliability matter most.

At home, she shares her life with her husband, Amiaz, and together they are raising two children. The role she is most proud of is motherhood to a child with special needs – an experience that teaches her daily lessons in patience, compassion, and personal growth.

Tehila is also a Chuppot bride, a connection that naturally led her to join the organization’s work. The most unforgettable moment of her own wedding came when she placed a ring on Amiaz’s finger and spoke words of love in front of their closest family and friends.

Tehila has a deep affection for weddings, especially those rooted in equality and respect for tradition. And, without exception, she never skips the dessert table at the end of the night.