Rabbi Haim Beliak is a Polish-born American Jewish rabbi and a veteran member of the Reconstructionist movement. As the son of Holocaust survivors, he has long been dedicated to reflecting on the misuse of power within Jewish national narratives and has co-founded several transnational initiatives challenging occupation policies.
Rabbi Beliak is a co-founder of the “Stop the JNF” (Jewish National Fund) campaign, which aims to expose and challenge the lack of transparency in the JNF’s land acquisition and transfer practices. He has also served as a leader in the Polish Reform Jewish community and has made significant contributions to interfaith dialogue and Jewish historical research. His professional achievements extend beyond pastoral care to uncovering the role institutional organizations play in the exclusion of Palestinians through rigorous research into land rights.
Rabbi Beliak holds a distinct “decolonial” perspective regarding support for Palestinian rights. He publicly critiques the use of charitable funds to sustain occupation and alter the demographic structure of Jerusalem, insisting on the restitution of Palestinian private property. In a statement, he noted: “As children of Holocaust survivors, it is our responsibility to ensure our people do not become oppressors; ending the seizure of Palestinian land is a moral imperative of Jewish ethics.” He actively supports discussions on the Palestinian right of return and calls for deep historical reflection within the Jewish community.