Clal builds bridges across communities to encourage pluralism, diversity, and openness.
"Passover seders certainly aren’t out of the ordinary this time of year but for Congregation B’nai Amoona, the guest list for the holiday gathering did include a few more names than usual. “This was a remarkably powerful experience, something quite unique,” said Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, [a Clal RWB Fellow]. “They had a very traditional Conservative seder. The people were very into the ritual, very mesmerized and very participatory.” Yet many of the participants weren’t Jewish.
"...Rabbis are educated in the Torah, but it often takes another kind of learning to allow their own inner torah out. That kind of learning is what Rabbis Without Borders specializes in. Rabbi Rebecca W. Sirbu of Teaneck is the director of Rabbis Without Borders, a program run by Clal - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. Last week, the Forward named her as one of America’s 36 most inspirational rabbis..."
Recognized for their accomplishments, Rabbi Irwin Kula was listed again this year in the Daily Beast/Newsweek as some of America’s "most influential rabbis." Appearing at no.
"From the moment he walked onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square last week, Pope Francis has been doing things that herald great promise not only for Catholics, but for the work of inter-religious relations in particular, and for the role of faith in the world as whole..."
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By Brad Hirschfield from FoxNews.com’s Fox Forum, Opinion
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield speaks with John Hall and Kathy Emmons about atheism and the opening of the first atheist church. Hirschfield compares it to the Ethical Culture movement that arose in the early 20th Century. The human need for community is universal. If believers and non-believers could treat one another with more respect, we could engage in real dialogue.
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Faith often comes into focus during the holidays, but 2012 has been a particularly trying year for the faithful. How do different faiths react to the challenges of faith? Reverend Calvin Butts, Rabbi Irwin Kula and Raquel Evita Saraswati of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy join "CBS This Morning: Saturday" for a conversation about regaining faith and finding meaning after tragedy. Watch...
Brad Hirschfield joins Phil Valentine to talk about a perceived war on Christmas. Christian faith seems to be mocked by over-the-top secular holiday time displays. Public culture needs to be open and respectful of all faith and non-faith celebrations. Listen...
Phil Valentine on Cumulus Media Networks, 12/4/12
Brad Hirschfield talks with Duran Martinez and Jo Anne Paul about how the nation can come together after the elections.
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From Michigan Talk Radio, WJIM’s Michigan’s Morning Show broadcast on 16 stations statewide
"...Hirschfield says his experiences have lead him to want to understand other’s beliefs. And it’s through opportunities such as this panel discussion that can help break down barriers. ‘For me what’s critical about panels like this is that it’s an opportunity to marry our deepest particular commitments to the larger human, national and communal projects we share beyond the boundaries of our respective faith,’..."
Rabbis Without Borders (RWB), Clal’s landmark initiative that helps rabbis make Jewish thought and practice more available for improving people’s lives, selected its third class for its competitive rabbinic fellowship program. More than 90 applicants competed for the 18 spots.