Biography - Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny

Since 1999 Rabbi Alex Dukhovny has been serving the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) as the Chief Progressive Rabbi of Kiev and the Ukraine Union of Progressive Jewish Congregations. He lives in Kiev and serves the community’s Progressive congregation, “Ha-Tikvah”. Rabbi Dukhovny also serves the 47 other WUPJ congregations in Ukraine, since he is the country’s only Progressive rabbi.

Rabbi Alex Dukhovny graduated from Leo Baeck College, London, in 1999 where he was ordained as a rabbi. He obtained a Master of Arts in Hebrew and Jewish Studies from London University. He is an author of more than forty scientific works and co-author of nearly twenty scientific patents. Some of his recent works were published in “European Judaism” magazine and also in local Ukrainian newspapers.

Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny graduated from Kiev Polytechnic University in 1973, where be received a diploma as Mechanical Engineer, and worked for more than twenty years at the National Academy of Science of Ukraine (1967-1990). From 1991-94, he worked at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. 

Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny was among those pioneers who started the Progressive movement in Ukraine, which coincided with the fall of the Soviet Union and with the development of democracy. When in 1991 the first Reform congregation was founded in Kiev, Alexander Dukhovny was among its first members. When he came back to Kiev after his studies in London, a new period in the development of the Progressive Movement in Ukraine has been started: the number of Progressive Jewish congregations had increased from 14 (1999) to 40 (end of 2000).

The main goal of the Progressive Movement in Ukraine is to spread the message of Progressive Judaism in every possible way both inside and outside the Movement. Under his leadership and the leadership of a group of lay-leaders, the Progressive movement has developed one of the most accessible streams of Judaism for post-soviet Jewry. This gives everyone who identifies her/himself as a Jew an opportunity to obtain information and knowledge about their roots, traditions, history, etc. In order to fulfill this goal, Rabbi Dukhovny, together with his team of lay and MACHON- professional community workers, emphasizes helping existing as well as newly founded congregations, to develop their religious, educational, cultural, and social programs.

Rabbi Dukhovny is married to South African-born Erlene Wahlhaus who lives in London. She was ordained together with her husband and until recently was a rabbi in New Castle Reform Synagogue.