As we enter a new Jewish year and reflect on the events of the past 12 months, we remain heartbroken by Hamas's attacks on innocent Israeli civilians, and the ensuing war between Israel and Hamas—now also involving Hezbollah and Iran. We grieve the loss of human life throughout the region, and we continue to advocate for the return of the remaining Israeli hostages. We implore leaders on all sides to seek a cessation of hostilities, and a peace agreement that will allow Israelis and Palestinians to live without threat of violence and bloodshed. As we engage in our individual and collective processes of teshuvah (return, repair, renewal), let us reinvest in supporting the courageous actors on the ground working daily for peace and justice for these two war-weary peoples (like our Beacons of Hope featured below), while doing all we can to encourage dignified engagement across difference in our communities.

G'mar hatimah tovah—may we all be inscribed in the book of life.

-Rabbi Or Rose, Founding Director, The Miller Center of Hebrew College

Beacons of Hope: Our Interreligious S/Heroes

Each month, we honor an individual or group whose commitments align with the bridge-building efforts of the Miller Center of Hebrew College. This month, we shine a light on Combatants for Peace, a joint Palestinian-Israeli movement dedicated to non-violence, working in solidarity towards a future where all people in Israel and Palestine live in peace with dignity, justice, and security. Two leaders from Combatants for Peace, Sulaiman "Souli" Khatib and Iris Gur, recently joined us for a public dialogue on their ongoing peace-building efforts. Below please read a profile, and click the link to a video recording of the event.

By Rafi Ellenson, Hebrew College Rabbinical Student and Miller Center Intern

This month, the Miller Center is proud to highlight the courageous work of Combatants for Peace. This Israeli-Palestinian movement brings people together across lines of difference amidst a horrific and seemingly intractable conflict. We are inspired by their humanity in this time of warfare.  

Prior to beginning my rabbinical school studies, I spent three years living in Jerusalem. As I immersed myself in the rhythms of Israeli life, one event that stood out to me was Yom Ha’Zikaron (Memorial Day). As a long-term visitor, I yearned to connect meaningfully to others on this day of national mourning. When one of my friends suggested that we attend the Combatants for Peace commemoration in Tel Aviv—a joint Israeli-Palestinian memorial ceremony—my interest piqued. Read more...

Sulaiman Khatib

Iris Gur

Pictured (L-R): Miller Center Rabbinic Intern Rafi Ellenson introduces Miller Center Director Rabbi Or Rose in conversation with Hebrew College visiting scholar Rev. Rob Schenck in the Beit Midrash

Jewish tradition teaches that the Hebrew month of Elul is a time to turn to our fellow human beings for pardon as part of our work of teshuvah (return, repair, renewal) during this High Holy Day season. 

On September 17 (14 Elul), Hebrew College’s visiting scholar of Christianity and Religious Leadership, Rev. Dr. Rob Schenck shared the story of his decade-long journey of teshuvah with the Hebrew College Rabbinical School and guests from the wider interreligious community. In his presentation, entitled “A Time for Introspection: Insights into the White Evangelical Perspective on Politics & Faith”, Rev. Schenck described the crisis of conscience that led him to walk away from his leadership of “Faith and Action", the far-right Christian advocacy group he led for many years. Rev. Schenck spoke candidly about the ways in which his frustration grew as he witnessed the message of Jesus being co-opted in real time by political actors pushing an exclusivist and anti-democratic agenda.

After recounting his journey’s dramatic departure from the movement where he built his spiritual and professional life, Rev. Schenck commented that it does not take a grand figure to facilitate change, but rather, the love and care of everyday people willing to speak honestly about their commitments and concerns. He gave special thanks to his spouse and children for encouraging him to act: "Thanks to my loving family, I can today comfortably identify as an Evangelical Christian, even as my definition of this term has changed significantly over the years."

Taught by Rabbi Or Rose, Director of the Miller Center & Rev. Dr. Rob Schenck, visiting scholar of Christianity and Religious Leadership.

The time has come for a new conversation among members of the Jewish and Evangelical communities to discuss our relationships to Israel? Turmoil in the Israel and the Palestinian territories, as well as in the United States call for an honest and searching discussion of our theological, historical, and political connections to Israel. What, for example, is the role of messianism or eschatology (interpretations of “end-times” prophecies) in this context? Do we share some common values and commitments? Where do we differ? To what extent are these differences present within each of our respective communities?

The course will meet on Thursdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. Eastern on Zoom: November 7, 14, 21

Tuition: $150, financial aid is available

Learn more and register here

The Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership at Hebrew College, in partnership with the ALEPH Ordination Program, has received a grant from the American Association for the Advancement of Science for a project to survey the state of science education and eco-theology in North American Jewish seminaries.

As part of the grant, Rabbi Or Rose and Rabbi Dr. Natan Margalit will host a Zoom event on October 21st: "Sukkot, A Festival of Gratitude: Exploring the Climate Crisis and Consumer Choices". This interfaith panel, featuring Professor Amy Erickson of the Iliff School of Theology, and Derrick Weston, co-host of the Food and Faith Podcast, will explore how our choices as consumers affects the health of our planet, of our society and of our bodies. 

In commenting on the importance of this grant, Rabbi Rose said: “There is an urgent need among emerging Jewish spiritual and ethical leaders to grow as climate educators, activists, and spiritual guides. I am honored to be working with Rabbi Margalit and others in the Jewish seminary sphere on this vital undertaking."

Sukkot, A Festival of Gratitude: Exploring the Climate Crisis and Consumer Choices | 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific | live on Zoom | register below

We invite you to read the following essay from Rabbi Or Rose on the biblical book of Jonah, traditionally read on Yom Kippur afternoon. This essay was originally written for the Center for Action and Contemplation this past summer; Rabbi Rose is honored to share it with the Hebrew College community:

As human beings we are fallible, and therefore, in need of opportunities for learning and growth, for repentance and renewal. In classical Jewish thought the process through which we reflect critically on our behavior, acknowledge our mistakes, and (re)commit ourselves to doing better is called teshuvah, “return.” The choice of this Hebrew term is reflective of a fundamentally optimistic worldview in which people are understood to be essentially good, despite our (seemingly boundless) capacities for sin. Though we may stray regularly from the path of righteousness, there is always the possibility of finding our way home. The ancient rabbis were so committed to this idea that they taught that God created teshuvah before fashioning the world (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Pesahim, 54a). Our sages could not imagine a world in which teshuvah was not woven into the very fabric of being. 

One sign of the abiding importance of teshuvah to Jewish religious life is the fact that it is the animating theme of the High Holidays — Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Beginning one month before the Jewish New Year (see more on this below), we are enjoined to begin a process of soul searching and making amends. This journey leads into, and is intensified during, the High Holy Days, also known as “The Days of Awe,” reflecting the gravity of the season. It is no accident that this coincides with the onset of fall (in the Northern hemisphere), as the natural world turns and changes, beckoning us to join in this grand autumnal procession. The ancient rabbis also insisted that teshuvah must be part of our daily lives, and that this vital work not be left for just one period of year. They spoke in direct and challenging ways about the need to take responsibility for our misdeeds, to ask others for forgiveness, and to forgive those who have wronged us. In so doing, the sages argued passionately that change is possible. Read more...