Rabbi Ari Ze'ev Schwartz is the Co-founder and Dean of the Society of Independent Spirituality. Rabbi Schwartz is originally from Sydney, Australia, and studied at the University of New South Wales majoring in music and film before coming to Jerusalem, where he studied for eight years in several Yeshivot located in the Old City. Rabbi Schwartz received his Rabbinical Ordination at the Sephardic Center in Jerusalem under Rabbi Yaakov Peretz, has an B.Ed from Hertzog's Teachers College, and is currently finishing a Master's in Education at Hertzog. Previously, Rabbi Schwartz served as the Head Rabbi of Bnei Akiva's Hachshara program for three and a half years. In addition, he teaches the writings of Rav Kook, Rav Shagar, Jewish Philosophy, and Tanach at several Yeshivot and Midrashot in Jerusalem. Rabbi Schwartz lives with his wife and two daughters in Nachlaot, Jerusalem.