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Rabbis across denominations talk tradition

Four area rabbis from different denominations examined the role that tradition plays in contemporary Jewish life during a panel discussion at Shalhevet High School on Jan. 9 as part of a community conversation called “An Evening of Discussion & Dialogue: What Unites Us? What Divides Us?”
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January 13, 2016

Four area rabbis from different denominations examined the role that tradition plays in contemporary Jewish life during a panel discussion at Shalhevet High School on Jan. 9 as part of a community conversation called “An Evening of Discussion & Dialogue: What Unites Us? What Divides Us?”

B’nai David-Judea Congregation’s Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky said the whole concept of “tradition” has become problematic.

“It’s become a polemical word. It has no meaning, it has no substance, it has no content, and if we want to have an intelligent conversation, we have to stop using it,” he said.

The Modern Orthodox rabbi, whose congregation hired a female clergy member last year, specifically expressed frustration with community members who oppose such hirings at Orthodox synagogues citing adherence to tradition.

“The debate over whether Orthodox women should serve in clergy positions, the refrain that has come out of the [Rabbinical Council of America] is that it is a violation of our sacred masorah [tradition],” Kanefsky said. “It is code: ‘I cannot think of a single reason why it is not halachically permissible but I know I don’t like it.’ ”

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld, of the Conservative congregation Temple Beth Am, agreed that a Jewish life requires more than just tradition.

“I no longer observe mitzvot that fulfill the particulars of halachah to appease an expecting God,” Kligfeld said. “To me, masorah, the tradition, is not a prescription for how to make God not angry at me.”

He said he acts instead in accordance with what makes him a productive member of the Jewish community: “In order to be in the mishpacha [family], the mishpacha of the Jewish people … there are certain family norms, systems, expectations, rights and wrongs.” 

According to IKAR Rabbi Sharon Brous, these rabbis are not alone in their feelings, and as a result, alternative approaches to Judaism are sprouting up everywhere. 

“There is a fundamental lack of creativity and lack of moral courage in engaging the tradition, so what we have seen, particularly [recently], are a number of emerging leaders and rabbis, lay leaders, individuals and communities throughout the country who are forming a non-Orthodox approach to Judaism and [who] say, ‘We will not engage in a perfunctory run through of the tradition,’ ” said Brous, rabbi of a progressive Jewish community that meets at Shalhevet.

On the other side of the debate was Rabbi Pini Dunner, of Beverly Hills Synagogue. The Orthodox rabbi said halachic tradition continues to provide essential guidance in modern times, comparing it to traffic laws.

“When I’m at a red light, I want to drive through it because I would like to get my kids to school on time, however, the law informs me when the light is red I must stop my car because otherwise … I am going to be stopped and perhaps my license will be revoked,” he said. “That is, in a sense, the conflict we have.”

He said the value of tradition is that it combats the all-too-natural tendency of the individual to focus too much on him or herself. “As a Jew, it’s not about me,” he said.

The event was presented by the Shalhevet Institute, an initiative of the high school. The 2015-2016 school year marks the third year of the institute, which has focused on expanding the scope of Shalhevet to include adult learning, according to Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, Judaic studies teacher at Shalhevet High School and the director of the institute. 

“Through an array of programming — including a variety of classes, speakers, programs like tonight’s — we are trying to create a learning community that seeks serious Talmud, Torah, [and] serious study of Jewish literature in a manner that balances ideas and conversations and religious meaning,” Schwarzberg said during opening remarks.

He moderated the discussion that drew an audience of 200 — including Rabbi Ari Segal, Shalhevet head of school, and a large number of students — posing questions regarding tradition, the need for Jewish unity and Israel. This was followed by a Q-and-A with the audience. 

Sponsors were husband-and-wife donors Richard and Wendy Kellner.

The evening wrapped with many attendees, including Scott Shulman, a member of IKAR, mingling with one another around the refreshments tables in the school gymnasium, where the event took place.

“Dialogue is essential,” Shulman said regarding why he attended the event. “It adds to the strength of our people.”

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