Yitzchok Adlerstein: Zionism, the American Yeshiva World, and Reaching Beyond Our Community [Outreach 1/5]
Feb 4, 2025
auto_awesome
Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, a senior staff member at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and adjunct professor of Jewish Law, shares insights on outreach within Jewish communities. He discusses the importance of bridging divides and understanding the unique needs of the American Yeshiva World versus the Israeli Haredi World. The conversation delves into the necessity of genuine dialogue in an age of cultural realignment, urging listeners to foster empathy and connection beyond their communities. Adlerstein emphasizes the role of individuals as 'translators' in these crucial discussions.
Engaging with those outside one's community is crucial for fostering mutual understanding and promoting personal growth in a changing world.
The story of C.P. Ellis and Ann Atwater illustrates how open dialogue can bridge divides and shift perspectives across differing backgrounds.
Addressing the Haredi community's complex relationship with broader Israeli society requires sensitivity and a focus on respectful dialogue to find solutions.
Deep dives
The Importance of Outreach Beyond One's Community
Outreach is essential for any community seeking to connect with others, especially in a rapidly changing world. Engaging with individuals outside one's own community facilitates mutual understanding and growth. The ability to reach beyond one's circle is crucial in fostering dialogue and finding common ground. This concept is particularly relevant as individuals navigate the complexities of shifting societal dynamics.
The Role of Personal Experiences in Changing Perspectives
Personal experiences play a significant role in how people perceive and understand different communities. The podcast highlights the transformative story of C.P. Ellis and Ann Atwater, who despite their opposing backgrounds, were able to find common ground through conversation. Their journey reflects the potential for understanding and empathy when individuals communicate openly and honestly, leading to changed perspectives. This emphasizes the power of dialogue in bridging divides between differing communities.
Challenges Facing the Haredi Community in Israel
The integration of the Haredi community into broader Israeli society has become increasingly urgent amidst recent events. The podcast discusses the sensitivity required in addressing the Haredi community's relationship with military service and societal norms. This situation demands careful consideration, as it involves navigating complex social dynamics and addressing concerns over identity and future interactions. There is a growing need for dialogue and solutions that respect the unique position of the Haredi community.
The Shift in Value Towards Experiential Engagement
As technology has made information more accessible, the value of experiential learning and engagement has risen. People are now seeking deeper connections and enriching experiences rather than just information. This shift highlights the importance of fostering real-life relationships and personal interactions, which can greatly enhance understanding and empathy. Communities are realizing that personal experiences form the cornerstone of meaningful outreach and connection.
Navigating Identity and Personal Responsibility
The notion of responsibility towards the Jewish people as a whole is vital for community growth and identity. Many in the American Haredi world have not traditionally emphasized their connection to the broader Jewish narrative, which can lead to a sense of disconnection. There is a need for educating the younger generations on the importance of their responsibilities to one another and to the state of Israel. This collective responsibility can help cultivate a stronger sense of unity and purpose within diverse communities.
This episode is sponsored by Nishmat, whose Summer Beit Midrash offers transformative Torah learning in the heart of Jerusalem for women of all backgrounds. Find more information here. Take our annual survey. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we launch our new topic, Outreach, by talking to Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, a senior staff member at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, about changing people’s minds, the value of individuality, and the “no true Scotsman” fallacy. With the tectonic shifts happening to our religious communities, political affiliations, and technological tools, conversations across social boundaries are becoming increasingly crucial. In this episode we discuss:
How do we reach out to people “outside our communities,” in the many senses of that phrase?
How do the needs of the American Yeshiva World differ from the needs of the Israeli Haredi World?
How should we address the worldwide realignment that cultures of all kinds are experiencing?
Tune in to hear a conversation about the importance of being “translators” across communities as we exchange ideas with one another.
Interview begins at 21:34. Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein is a senior staff member at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish advocacy group and international NGO. He also holds the Sydney M. Irmas Adjunct Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Rabbi Adlerstein is the co-founder of Cross-Currents, an online journal of Orthodox Jewish thought, and regularly contributes to that site. He is on the editorial board of Klal Perspectives, an online journal of issues facing the Orthodox community. References: Iyun Podcast with Rabbi Ari Koretzky