The Fox News Rundown Extra: Dana Perino and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl Talk Faith, The Rise Of Antisemitism, And The Importance Of Unplugging
Oct 25, 2025
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi at Central Synagogue, discusses her journey as the first Asian American rabbi and the challenges she faced. She shares insights on combating rising antisemitism, the importance of community, and the need to unplug from devices. Buchdahl emphasizes how her multifaith background has shaped her views on spirituality and leadership. She also highlights the significance of Shabbat as a time for reflection and connection, advocating for a society that values empathy and understanding across divisions.
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Mountain Lesson Shaped Her Faith
- Rabbi Angela Buchdahl describes a Mount Rainier pilgrimage where her Buddhist mother taught interconnectedness through nature.
- That moment shaped how she wove her mother's Buddhist lessons into her Jewish spiritual understanding.
Pain Can Become Growth
- Buchdahl argues painful moments can seed future growth and shouldn't be judged only as disasters.
- She suggests equanimity and trust help you navigate loss of control and find meaning later.
Teenage Trip Sparked A Rabbinic Path
- At 16 in Israel, Buchdahl felt a powerful intellectual and spiritual pull toward Jewish text and clergy work.
- She recounts that pull despite not seeing anyone who looked like her in rabbinic leadership.
