Rabbi Julia Margolis

Rabbi Julia Margolis who was born in Moscow, USSR and raised in Israel as a daughter to her role model mother, Rabbi Elena.

At the age of 12, Rabbi Julia’s family made Aliyah to Israel, where she completed high school and served as an educational officer in the army (IDF). In 2000 after her release from the IDF, she earned a bachelor´s degree from Ben Gurion University in Jewish History, Islam and Art. Rabbi then went on to complete her Masters’ degree in Jewish Studies. She was raised in a family with deep roots in the Reform movement – her mother was the first Russian speaking female Rabbi in Israel.

Rabbi Julia was ordained by the Abraham Geiger College, Germany, she’s worked in the Reform movement in Israel and has represented the Reform movement all over the world. Her involvement with the Reform movement in South Africa began in 2009, working in different synagogues as well as performing in life cycle events in different parts of Africa, until opening her own Progressive Synagogue, Beit Luria.

Rabbi Margolis is the Chairperson of the South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR), a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and Co-Chair of the South African Centre for Religious Equality and Diversity (SACRED). Most importantly, Rabbi Julia founded Beit Luria and has followed her dreams. She currently lives in Johannesburg, was married to her late husband, Greg Z”L, and is the mother of two wonderful daughters, Emily and Victoria.