[1][2] Born into Seattle's Sephardic Jewish community, his ancestors are Ottoman Sephardim from Turkey and Rhodes, and he grew up in a Ladino-speaking home.

[3] He was president of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA),[4] and a member of the editorial board of its journal, Tradition.

[citation needed] He directs the Institute and edits its journal, Conversations, which appears three times per year and is a voice of Open Orthodoxy.

A prolific author, he has written several controversial books and articles that have taken issue with and challenged traditional Orthodox views and the Rabbinate.

The Institute disseminates its particular vision through the publication of articles, and books as well as the hosting and promotion of lectures.