Yehoyada Amir is a Professor of Modern Jewish Thought at Hebrew Union College – Jerusalem. Combining academic and religious studies Amir has learned at Hebrew University, from which he received his Ph.D., the Conservative Seminary of Judaic Studies (current: The Schechter Institute), and the Humboldt University of Berlin. His scholarly work deals with a wide range of Modern Jewish philosophers (among others: Franz Rosenzweig, Nachman Krochmal, Hermann Cohen, A.d. Gordon, Barukh Kurzweil, Hugo Bergmann, Eliezer Schweid, and Mordecai Kaplan). His attention is drawn to religious, humanistic approaches to Jewish existence in light of modernity, the memory of the Shoa, and the unique responsibility Israeli Jewish being represents. His current projects as a fellow of the NYU Tikvah Center for Law and Jewish Civilization combine a thorough analysis of the 19th century philosopher Nachman Krochmal striving Judaism`s revival under modern culture and philosophy on the one hand, and the challenges of non-Orthodox religious thought in 20th century and contemporary Jewish life in Israel, on the other hand.
For ten years (1999-2009) Rabbi Amir served as the director of HUC`s Israel Rabbinic Program. Under his leadership the program was expanded, redesigned and acknowledged as the leading Liberal environment for religious and rabbinic education in Israel. Most of the Reform rabbis serving in Israel have studied at HUC in this period. Rabbi Amir is an active member of Maram, the Israel Council of Reform Rabbis and served in various periods as a board member of the council. He has a leading role in contemporary theological-religious, social and ethical discourse in Israel`s Reform Movement as well as in neighboring circles.