Shai Avny
Executive Director
Shai relocated with his family from Israel to the Twin Cities. He joined us at Mount Zion as the Congregational Engagement Director in 2018 and became the Executive Director in 2022. Shai works closely with the clergy and staff to help community members find their place at Mount Zion and create an atmosphere which all will feel is a second home.
Shai was born and raised in Israel, and was an active member and leader of the Noam youth group, which is part of the Israeli Conservative Movement. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces, in a combat unit, as a commander and a sergeant. In the past five years, Shai was the Director of Education at Magen Avraham Synagogue, in Omer.
Shai is happily married to Mirit, and they have three ‘active’ young boys (which he promises you won’t miss running around the temple!), Gev, Tzuk, and Raviv and a yellow lab, Marley.
