Identity/Crisis Can the Jewish Big Tent Hold After October 7? with Yehuda Kurtzer and Claire Sufrin
Dec 9, 2025
In this engaging discussion, guest Claire Sufrin, Director of Research at the Shalom Hartman Institute, interviews Yehuda Kurtzer, a thought leader on Jewish communal life. They explore the fragility of the Jewish 'big tent' in the wake of trauma, emphasizing the need for clearer values and a commitment to care. Yehuda advocates prioritizing community obligation over political identity, while dissecting the difference between inclusion and platforming diverse views. Their conversation offers insights into rebuilding connections and navigating shifts in affiliation after crisis.
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Big Tent Feels Fragile
- The 'big tent' metaphor is under strain because communities now feel fragile and fearful rather than hospitable.
- Yehuda Kurtzer argues we must sustain the big-tent ideal while acknowledging its weakened state.
Care Is Community's Purpose
- Community's primary purpose is mutual care and interdependency, not political sorting.
- Kurtzer emphasizes obligation and responsibility as what makes functioning communities work.
Clarify Values Before Debates
- Do clarify your community's values and official positions so inclusion and belonging are easier to manage.
- Distinguish between tolerating diverse views and platforming official institutional positions.