Rabbi Oren J. Hayon grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He received his undergraduate degree from Rice University and his rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Following his ordination, Rabbi Hayon served Temple Emanu-El in Dallas and worked as the rabbi and executive director at the Hillel at the University of Washington in Seattle
Rabbi Hayon has held a number of leadership roles in the Reform Movement, serving as a Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and as an editor, translator and contributor of Hebrew texts and poetry for a number of publications, including Mishkan HaNefesh, the High Holy Day machzor; LaKol Eit, the CCAR Rabbi’s Manual; Mishkan HaSeder, a Passover haggadah; and Inscribed: Encounters with the Ten Commandments.
Rabbi Hayon is honored to serve Congregation Emanu El and is happy to make his home in Houston with his wife Julie, their two daughters, and innumerable household pets.