In partnership with the Pardes Institute, the Hadar Institute, the Shalom Hartman Institute, RootOne, and M2
How can we engage our learners in deep conversations about Jewish peoplehood? Watch faculty members from three institutional leaders in Torah learning for an immersion in accessible texts that explore Jewish connection, diversity, and responsibilities. Each session offers frameworks for bringing these texts to learners in grades 6-12.
Wednesday, March 6th
Sefi Kraut, Pardes
What connects Jews to one another?
The very term “Jewish Peoplehood” implies that Jews are bound to one another – what, then, is the connective tissue between Jews that transforms us into a "people?" Is the connection automatic and involuntary or is it perhaps dependent on our actions or beliefs? We will explore these foundational questions via some classical Jewish thinkers, and consider how to bring this important discussion to our learners.
Friday, March 8th
Rabbi Avi Strausberg, Hadar
How diverse can one Jewish people be?
In the beginning of Genesis, the whole world was of one language and one speech – humanity appeared united, a global peoplehood of sorts, but this came at the cost of individuality. In this session, we'll examine the story of the Tower of Babel as well as accompanying texts from the world of Hasidut and the Talmud, to ask: What is the role of diversity in Jewish peoplehood, and: How do we balance unity and individuality in the formation of a people?
Monday, March 11th
Dr. Sara Labaton, Shalom Hartman Institute
What responsibilities do Jews have toward one another?
What are the ethical, social, and financial obligations that Jews carry vis-à-vis one another, and how do these obligations change and stay the same during times of crisis? Using classical and modern sources, we will explore the scope, limits, and challenges of the notion that Jews have distinctive sets of responsibilities to other members of the Jewish people.
- Educator Training
- Webinar
- Israel Education
- Israel - Contemporary
- Jewish Text and Thought
Rabbi Avi Strausberg is the Senior Director of National Learning Initiatives at Hadar, and is based in Washington, DC. Previously, she served as the Director of Congregational Learning of Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, Minnesota. Avi studied at Hadar as a year fellow, and served on our summer faculty in 2014. She received her rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College in Boston and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She also holds a Masters in Jewish Education. While pursuing her studies, Avi was honored to serve as a rabbinic intern at Kehillath Israel and Temple Sinai. She has taught students of different ages and backgrounds at Kehillath Israel, Temple Sinai, Makor, and Hadar. Additionally, Avi has worked as a chaplain intern at Hebrew Senior Life and organized an anti-trafficking campaign as a rabbinic fellow at T’ruah. Energized by engaging creatively with Jewish text, she has written several theatre pieces inspired by the Torah and maintains a Daf Yomi haiku blog in which she writes daily Talmudic haikus. Avi is most grateful for her wife, Chana, and three children, Ori, Niv, and Amit.
Mikhael Kesher is a curator of educational experiences and resources, whose professional passion is supporting Jewish educators and learners in building informed, constructive, and committed relationships with am yisrael (the Jewish people) and medinat yisrael (the Jewish state). As a British-born Israeli-by-choice and new American, he cares deeply about strengthening each Jew’s connection to global Jewry. Before joining The Jewish Education Project as Director, Israel Education, Mikhael worked at Harvard Hillel, MIT Hillel, and Hebrew College. He holds Master’s degrees in Philosophy (University of Cambridge), Near Eastern & Judaic Studies (Brandeis University), and Jewish professional leadership (Brandeis University). At home, Mikhael is an avid reader, ḥevruta enthusiast, and devoted abba to two young children.
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