Rabbi Shira Stutman, March 11th

Shira was the founding rabbi at 6th and I Historic Synagogue in Washington D.C. She now teaches nationally and is the co-host of the podcast Chutzpod, with actor, Josh Malina.

Topic: Beyond Welcoming: Why America Might Be Ready for Judaism

Rabbi Shira Stutman

Shabbat Voices- March 11, 2023

Morning

Jewish Proselytization: Past, Present and Future

Among the very few things that Jews agree on is that we are proud of the fact that we do not proselytize. But why? Is Judaism not a meaning-making technology that improves people’s lives? This text study and discussion will begin a conversation, to be continued after lunch, about the history of the Jewish approach to proselytization, and how that should (or should not!) affect our approach to non-Jewish outreach today.

Afternoon

Beyond Welcoming: Why America Might Be Ready for Judaism

Mordecai Kaplan was prophetic in his argument that Jews need America for all of its freedoms and new ways of thinking. But perhaps it is just as true that America needs Judaism, which prioritizes holy dissent, sacred rest, human interconnectivity, the pursuit of learning, and even a justice-oriented market economy. We will continue our conversation about what outreach– especially to millennials and Gen Z–looks like now, and consider what it can become.